Golden Jaguars Head Coach especially impressed with local talent
…announces 23-man team for friendlies
On the cusp of their second international friendly tournament for 2022, a quintet of national football players has caught the attention of Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz on the basis of their commitment, talent, and leadership qualities.
Golden Jags Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz
There has been much talk about the return of an overseas-based trio to the senior men’s national football team, but Shabazz has distanced himself from the notion of “overseas first”, as he expressed high praise for a special group of local players.
Forward Trayon Bobb, midfielders Pernel Schultz, Daniel Wilson, Clive Nobrega, and defender Jeremy Garrett are five players who have especially impressed the Golden Jags Head Coach. Along with 18 other locals and 6 overseas players, they comprise a Golden Jaguars team that would oppose Trinidad and Tobago anwd Barbados in the Courts Caribbean Classic which begins next Sunday.
Regarding the prized 5, the Head Coach has said, “Total respect to these guys for the commitment and dedication they have shown so far. They have pushed hard to raise their levels, even when my action towards them was just short of abusive.”
Trayon Bobb (yellow) in action
Zeroing in on their individual abilities, Shabazz has given reason for his admiration of the local bunch.
“Quincy came in late, but fought for his place like a real jaguar; while Garrett and Wilson in particular have shown good leadership on and off the field,” he explained.
He went on to add, while singling out other local players, “Trayon Bobb and Omari Glasgow have been ferocious in training, and with guys battling hard, the training environment has been intense.”
Jeremy Garrett during a Golden Jags training session
As such, Shabazz has been quite adamant about his refusal to buy in to the “overseas vs local players” mantra that has been pedalled for quite some time in regard to the composition of the senior men’s national football team.
Turning his attention to the impending Courts Caribbean Classic, in which Guyana will play their first game on Sunday March 27th against Barbados, Shabazz revealed his intentions for the three- team tournament.
“This tri-nation series is an opportunity to give playing time to lads. Mix and match players, experiment and take risks. We’ve got to see how our tactics at defending deep works. The quality of our pressing, our possession and attacks,” he explained.
The Golden Jags Head Coach reasoned, “At the end of the day, we want a result, but in friendly internationals, winning or losing has a broader context,” added Shabazz, who is having his fourth stint with the Guyana Golden Jaguars. (Jemima Holmes)
Guyana’s team for the Tri- Nation International friendly reads:
1. Akel Clarke (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica)
2. Alex Murray (Santos FC, Guyana)
3. Kevin Layne (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica)
4. Omari Glasgow (Chicago Fire)
5. Jeremy Garrett (GDF, Guyana)
6. Marcus Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana)
7. Quincy Adams (Western Tigers, Guyana)
8. Clive Nobrega (Eagles, Guyana
9. Samuel Cox (UK)
10. Pernell Schultz (Police FC, Guyana)
11. Daniel Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana)
12. Job Caesar (GDF, Guyana)
13. Leo Lovell (Dem Amstel, Guyana)
14. Kelsey Benjamin (GDF, Guyana)
15. Neil Danns (Macclesfield, UK)
16. Javier George (York Utd, Canada)
17. Nathan Moriah Welch (Bournemouth FC, UK)
18. Trayon Bobb (Western Tigers, Guyana)
19. Jamal Pereira (Dem Amstel, Guyana)
20. Tyrell Ondaan (FCU Craiova 1948, Romania)
21. Ryan Hackett (GDF)
22. Shemar Fraser (Police FC, Guyana)
23. Jamanine Beckles (Santos FC, Guyana)
Stand by Players:
1. Jemar Harrigan (Police FC, Guyana
2. Kevin Dundas (Dem Amstel, Guyana)
3. Darron Niles (Santos FC, Guyana)
4. Sese Norville (Western Tigers, Guyana)
