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Guyana’s senior men’s national team the Golden Jaguars have hit the ground running in Suriname as preparations intensified on Tuesday ahead of a friendly tri-nations’ tournament with the host nation and Barbados, according to Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz.
The Golden Jaguars squad, drawn predominantly from domestic-based players, play Suriname on Sunday, January 30, and Barbados on Tuesday, February 1.
“We have a good spirit and a strong group feeling in the camp, and we intend to make full use of the five days before the two matches on Sunday and Tuesday,” Head Coach Shabazz has said. “This is an important exercise to evaluate our players after being out of international football for a while. I am eager to see how the guys carry themselves first in the training over here, and then the two matches.”
Shabazz, a Trinidadian leading the squad for its first engagement since taking over in September 2021 for a fourth stint in charge, acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national team activity and preparations, but praised the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for facilitating the Suriname fixtures as a welcome step back into competition.
“We had a lot of challenges,” he said. “And at times when players and staff were down with COVID and things looked dim, GFF President Wayne Forde was very supportive, and we are happy that the investment was made and this opportunity created, providing exposure for players.”
Shabazz also thanked the Ministry of Health for its continued support, given the challenges posed by the pandemic. Shabazz has selected a 24-man squad, with defender Thevron Pluck receiving his first call-up.
After a period of absence, Clive Nobrega, Colin Nelson and Jordan Dover also make a return to a selection that features three internationally-based players. National U20 Head Coach Wayne Dover and former national team captain Charles Pollard are supporting Shabazz in the roles of assistant coaches.