Elite League… : Commitment and discipline are keys to get even better – Shabazz
With the first half of the Elite League Season Seven coming to an end on Saturday last, Slingerz Football Club celebrated a perfect start to their campaign, registering nine wins in the nine games they played. A critical component to their success thus far has been the leadership and coaching expertise of former Guyana national coach Jamaal Shabazz. Shabazz has a strong resume, having managed the Trinidad and Tobago men’s and women’s national teams in addition to leading the national teams of Guyana and St Lucia.
Slingerz FC Coach Jamaal Shabazz
Shabazz stated that his team’s results speak for themselves as Slingerz FC finished the first half of the season with a perfect record.
“The fact that we have nine wins in nine matches and leads the table seven points clear of the closest opponent says a lot of good things about both our preparation and performance,” the Coach shared.
Kemar “Bushy” Beckford has been an impressive performer throughout the campaign so far, scoring 16 goals in nine games. Shabazz highlighted his star performer, but also gave credit to some unsung heroes for his team’s performances.
“Indeed, Kemar Beckford has been impressive in front of goal. His stats speak for themselves, but he has been provided with some beautiful passes, crosses, and assists from the rest of the team. I think Darron Niles and Curtez Kellman’s work rate in midfield has been also a major factor in our success. And therefore, they are unsung heroes for us,” the gaffer explained.
Unsung hero for Slingerz FC thus far, Curtez Kellman
When the season resumes, Slingerz FC, the only side in the league with a perfect record, hope to continue where they left off. Coach Shabazz pointed out a few things that will assist his team in getting better.
“Our biggest effort is to improve our level of professionalism on and off the field. I am pushing the team to live better lifestyles off the field and show a greater commitment to self-improvement. While we have done well, we are still far from having the right attitude and approach to football being their jobs. In Guyana, we are much too soft on player commitment and discipline. We intend to raise that bar at Slingerz.”
