Shabazz backs Guyana in CFU despite loss to Canada

In a press conference held after the conclusion of the Guyana and Canada game, head coach of the Guyana Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz says that he is confident his squad will not be troubled by the Canada defeat with CFU games looming against Curacao on June 1st and the US Virgin Islands on June 7th as Guyana is seeking to qualify for its first-ever CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Shabazz stated that with all the young players on the field, everyone witnessed the future of both Guyanese and Canadian football. Shabazz had high praises for his young players after giving it their best and sees this defeat as a valuable lesson to learn from.
Shabazz said that the match was intended to give some of the younger players a chance to play since they could one day be Guyana’s main starters in the years to come.
“I am not worried; we are going to learn from this. This game was a chance to give some of the younger players some playing time and to engage themselves with our senior players and I think they took that opportunity. Several of our regular starters didn’t play tonight (Sunday, May 15th) such as Gregory Richardson among others. The young players who were to benefit from this game, I think they played well tonight, I think they would certainly benefit from it.”

Shabazz further stated that Guyana has a long way to go in catching up with the high caliber teams in CONCACAF but he believes that his batch of players have what it takes; through hard work and dedication which can one day see Guyana as a dominant force within CONCACAF.
Colin Nelson, who captained the Guyanese side against Canada, also gave his reactions from the encounter.
“We will look at the positives from this game and go back to the drawing broad to see where we can improve ourselves. We don’t want to be down on ourselves, Canada is a very strong opponent; this was a learning experience for us.”
Guyana’s star player during the Canada game was undoubtedly Trayon Bobb, who created numerous chances in front of goal for the Guyanese side, however, Guyana failed to convert those chances. Guyana’s coach said he is delighted with Bobb’s performance during the game and stated that “Bobb is beginning to look like that player we knew he could be when we first gave him the opportunity.”
Guyana will look to turn things around in their next International date set for June 1st against Curacao in the CFU qualifiers.