Golden Jaguars finalise 23-man squad

Guyana’s Golden Jaguars have made history in qualifying for the first time ever to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Competition, and head coach of the team, Michael Johnson, has completed selection of the final 23-man squad that would comprise the Jaguars.

Guyana Jaguars are ecstatic after making the cut for the CONCACAF Gold Cup

The 45 year-old Jamaican, who represented the Reggae Boyz as a player at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000, will now be making his debut as a Coach.
Commenting on the selection of the final 23-man squad, he said: “The Technical Staff is very confident and excited about the composition of the squad, arrived at for the continuation of this historic journey.
“As you would appreciate, the selection process was not easy by any means, and we do appreciate there will be disappointment amongst some players. However, we would like to encourage players, fans, well-wishers and the media to get behind your Golden Jaguars as we all aim to prove to the people of Guyana, at home and in the diaspora, that we belong.
“Wherever you are in the world, the staff and players are asking you to get behind the team and enjoy this historical moment. Your country needs you!”
Assistant Coach, Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, a former Golden Jaguar, also commented on the final squad by saying, “It’s an exciting time for the Golden Jaguars, and we are energized to show that we can compete at the highest level in CONCACAF. It’s going to be very tough, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”
For their part, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) are pulling out all the stops to ensure the Golden Jaguars are fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. To this end, a camp will begin in Bermuda (also making their debut at the CONCACAF Gold Cup) on June 1st, and the two nations will collide in an international friendly on June 6 as they both seek to be at their sharpest for this historical sojourn.
In continuing their preparation, the Golden Jaguars will then travel to Costa Rica, where they would be based from June 9-13. Whilst there, another international friendly would be played on June 11, this time against Caribbean powerhouse Haiti.
The Guyanese squad will then wing out of Costa Rica for their base in St. Paul Minnesota, USA ahead of the opening game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2019 against defending champions Unites States of America, on June 18 at the Allianz Field.
The Golden Jaguars have been drawn in Group D of the 16-team tournament with the host nation USA, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago.
Following the opening match against the USA, the Jaguars will travel to Cleveland, Ohio where they will take on Panama on June 22 at the First Energy Stadium, and then it’s on to the final group match against Caribbean Football Union rivals, neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, on June 26 at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas.