“Fans can expect a total effort from the Golden Jaguars”

– Shabazz rallies local support for home game

Guyana’s senior men’s national football team will make a case to remain at the top of Group B in League B of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Following the Golden Jaguars 2-1 victory over Montserrat on Saturday night, the local outfit will now face another test, this time in the form of the Bermudan national team.

The encounter is set to commence at 16:00h (4:00 pm), and the Golden Jaguars Head Coach is more than optimistic, especially with the expectation of Guyana’s home crowd backing them.
“Obviously, we’re happy to play at home; I’m looking forward to really give of our best. The good thing is that playing at home gives that feeling of wanting to please your fans and to make your country proud,” the Head Coach said in a pre-match statement on Monday afternoon.
He added, ““We want our people to be part of this journey with us; you know, there’ll be up times, there’ll be down times, share the moment.”
Turning his attention to Guyana’s opponents, Shabazz was realistic about the tough game ahead.
He explained, “Having seen some of the clips of the Bermuda-Haiti match, I think we can anticipate another tough encounter from Bermuda. In fact, all the matches from this group will be great match-ups, because of the fact that all of the teams are so closely knitted, in terms of ability and organisation.”
“The mood in the camp is quite good, and fans can expect a total effort from the Golden Jaguars. I cannot predict anything, but our intention is to work hard and to dig deep to grind out a result,” he went on to add about the Golden Jaguars’ preparations.
Shabazz then revisited his call for support at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara on Tuesday afternoon, highlighting that part of the team’s success was dependent on their 12th man.
“There was time in the Montserrat game we were down 1-0, did you believe with us? And did you feel the disappointment with us and did you feel good when we fought back and equalised and then went forward and won the match? This is a collective thing,” the Head Coach declared.
He further stated, “The collective effort is many more times greater in blessings than the individual one and we encourage the country to share on this journey with us, for football’s contribution to the ‘One Guyana’.” (Jemima Holmes)