After more than a week’s training in Trinidad and Tobago, the contingent of Guyana’s senior men’s national team, the Golden Jaguars, has been cut down from 31 to 24, in anticipation of the commencement of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Golden Jags Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz
This revelation was made on Wednesday morning, as Jamaal Shabazz, Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars, took the opportunity to share an update on the team’s preparations, and even revealed a bit about President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s benevolence towards the team.
After having the chance to see the players in action in two practice games, Shabazz told of the difficulty he had in selecting the team.
“I think the competitiveness for places increased the intensity, and it was so difficult to pick 24 out of the 31 players that we had in the camp,” the Head Coach has said.
Further, Shabazz elaborated on the team’s preparation in the twin-island republic, noting that it has been critical for development.
A glimpse of the Golden Jags in action against the T&T U20 team in a practice game
About that training in Trinidad, he said, “The preparations in Trinidad have been going well. We completed our final session today.
“Total effort and commitment from the players and staff, and I’m really thankful that the Federation was able to confirm this camp. I think this was a very important camp for the future of Guyana’s football.
“So, you know, these last couple sessions we have before the game on Saturday is just to work more on cohesion, more on operating as a team in attack and a team in defence,” Shabazz explained.
Still on the topic of preparation, Shabazz detailed some of the aspects he would like to strengthen, with Guyana’s future success in mind. He highlighted, “We would like to work on some dead ball situations, and still trying to get some of the guys to come in to adjust to how we would like to play, because they’ve come into an organised team. And sometimes when you have a team that is already organised, when you bring in too many players, it changes the texture of it.”
In speaking about the need for support, Shabazz revealed that Guyana’s President, H.E Dr Irfaan Ali, made a donation to the Golden Jaguars, which the Coach accepted in good faith.
“Also, we want to thank President Irfaan Ali for his intervention in supplying some football boots to a couple of the players. It was timely and it was very, very considerate of him; and small things like these go a long way. When the President of a country, without being asked and based on observation from someone, is able to see the needs of players and rally to the support…,” Shabazz disclosed.
The 24-member Golden Jaguars team reads:
1.Alex Murray
2. Quillan Roberts
3. Akel Clarke
4. Leo Lovell
5. Sam Cox
6. Quincy Adams
7. Jalen Jones
8. Jeremy Garrett
9. Marcus Wilson
10. Matthew Briggs
11. Ryan Hackett
12. Daniel Wilson
13. Nathan Moriah Welch
14. Clive Nobrega
15. Anthony Jeffrey
16. Trayon Bobb
17. Omari Glasgow
18. Kelsey Benjamin
19. Job Caesar
20. Torrel Ondaan
21.Pernel Schultz
22. Stephen Duke McKenna
23. Tre Medford
24. Neil Danns
