Guyana’s National Under-20 Women’s Football Team has qualified for the Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Haiti at the Antigua and Barbuda Technical Centre yesterday.
A decisive and brilliant goal from Myanne Fernandes sealed the win, securing Guyana’s place in the tournament’s main draw for the second time in history. Fernandes picked the ball up on the right side of the opposition’s goal area, dribbled past three Haitian defenders and then created an angle on the left side of the box, slotting home calmly past the flailing Haitian keeper. The Lady Jags needed nothing less than a victory to advance from Group A, as only the top team would progress. Their journey to qualification was far from smooth. The team began their campaign with a goalless draw against Belize and faced a major setback when five players were ruled ineligible due to passport issues. Despite the adversity, the squad showed immense resilience and determination to claim this crucial win against a highly rated Haitian side.
This marks Guyana’s second appearance at the Concacaf U-20 Women’s Championship. Their first outing in 2020 saw them reach the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Haiti. Now, they have a chance to make history by going even further in the tournament.
Guyana will join five other qualifying nations, along with powerhouses Mexico and the United States, in the Championship. The stakes are high, as the top four teams from the tournament will earn spots at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde praised the team’s efforts, stating: “Congratulations to the U20 Lady Jags on topping Group A in the Concacaf U20 Women’s Qualifier. This is a proud moment not just for the Guyana Football Federation but for the entire nation as we celebrate this historic achievement together.”
He also extended gratitude to the players, coaching staff, and GFF officials for their dedication, adding, “You have made us all proud!”
With their place now secured, the Lady Jags will turn their focus to preparing for the highly competitive Concacaf Championship, where they will look to continue their impressive journey on the regional stage.
