CONCACAF Nations League
International senior men’s football will return to local shores in the form of the Nations League, as regional confederation CONCACAF has confirmed that Guyana will open their maiden League A campaign against Suriname at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
This was confirmed following the official publication of the match schedule by the regional authority. Guyana’s last senior men’s international fixture at the venue occurred on September 12th, 2023 against the Bahamas.
President Wayne Forde, during an earlier interview with this publication, disclosed that the GFF was subsequently fined US$5,000 for the quality of the playing surface at Leonora despite them not being the custodians of the facility.
Since then, Guyana’s home matches have been staged at the Wildey Stadium in Barbados.
However, CONCACAF has now approved the venue for usage, paving the way for the return of senior men’s international football.
The Golden Jaguars will resume their historic rivalry with neighbouring Suriname in Group A on September 5th.
In 27 encounters against their Dutch-speaking rival, Guyana has a record of six wins, six defeats, and 15 losses. The previous two meetings between the nations ended in defeats.
The Golden Jaguars will then face off with hosts Martinique four days later. In their October encounters, Guyana faces off against Guatemala on the 11th before ending their group campaign against home side Suriname four days onwards.
The top two finishers from the group, which also comprises Costa Rica and Guadeloupe, will advance to the quarterfinal section in November.
Guyana sealed their qualification to League A in the CONCACAF Nations League following a 5-0 record in Group D in League B.
The Guyanese defeated Antigua and Barbuda [5-1, 6-0], the Bahamas [3-2], and Puerto Rico [3-1, 3-1]. In the 2022-2023 edition of League B, Guyana ended up in second place with 10 points. In the inaugural 2019–2020 edition, Guyana finished in the runner-up spot in league B with nine points.
