Golden Jags’ 23-man squad announced

CONCACAF Nations League countdown…
Golden Jaguars Head Coach Michael Johnson has announced a 23-man squad to participate in the “Train and Play” in Brazil that will be held over the period August 12-26 as Guyana seeks to build a foundation of excellence for the senior men’s national’ team.

The squad, which consists of Guyana and internationally-based players from England, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago includes: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six forwards.
Johnson, in an invited comment, said the camp would focus on both on and off-field activities, including developing a “winning mindset and drive for excellence” among the players.
“With the Nations League and Gold Cup qualifiers on the horizon, the camp gives young players the opportunity to showcase their talents and their characteristics to the senior staff. The experienced members of the squad will be looking to establish themselves as we focus on preparing the Golden Jaguars for September 8. The camp will be the mechanism to develop a winning mindset and drive for excellence within the group as we look forward to our Nations League campaign,” he explained.
As Guyana look to qualify for its first CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019, Technical Director Ian Greenwood said player assessment and instilling the new philosophy were primary elements of focus for this initial period of encampment:.
“The Head Coach and staff will be looking to establish the values and beliefs around the new-look Golden Jaguars set-up; the training camp in Brazil is the ideal opportunity for effective player-coach relationship building. The staff will benchmark and assess the Guyana-based players to truly understand what they are capable of achieving. Our new Head of Recruitment, Mr Khan, along with technical staff, has been a key figure in ensuring specific criteria are followed as we prepare for the upcoming Nations League campaign via scouting and video performance analysis,” Greenwood said.
He added that the technical team was “excited about the blend of youth and experience in the group”, and emphasised the importance of the players earning the right to wear the badge.
“The players have the opportunity to establish themselves and cement their place in the squad against Barbados in September, but it is ultimately up to them as individuals to grasp this opportunity. The key message to players in the national team pool is to earn the right to wear the badge.”
Guyana’s first match of the CONCACAF Nations League is set for September 8, 2018 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. Guyana have been matched against Barbados, Turks and Caicos Islands, French Guiana and Belize and will play host to Barbados and Belize in September 2018 and March 2019 respectively while Turks and Caicos Islands and French Guiana will host Guyana in October and November 2018.
The squad reads: Jason Cromwell (Buxton United); Jermaine Cumberbatch (Den Amstel); Sese Norville (Milerock); Raushan Ritch (Fruta Conquerors); Kester Jacobs (Den Amstel); Kevin Layne (NA United); Jake Newton (Hamble Club – England); Kevin Dundas (Den Amstel); Jelani Smith (Sigma – Canada); Samuel Cox (c) (Wealdstone – England); Cecil Jackman (Fruta Conquerors); Delwin Fraser (GDF); Job Caesar (Fruta Conquerors); Curtez Kellman (Western Tigers); Anthony Benfield (Fruta Conquerors); Ryan Hackett (Fruta Conquerors); Vurlon Mills (Western Tigers); Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors); Daniel Wilson (Western Tigers); Kelsey Benjamin (Western Tigers); Delroy Fraser (GDF); Delon Lanferman (Den Amstel) and Sheldon Holder (Caledonia AIA).