Strengthening, shopping expected from Slingerz for Elite League return

Despite missing out on their first chance to re-enter the Elite League, Slingerz Football Club got it right on their second try.
A 1-0 victory over Victoria Kings Football Club roughly a week ago solidified the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) team’s place in the upcoming sixth season of the Guyana Football Federation’s Elite League.
However, Slingerz’s journey did not come without bumps in the road, as detailed by Head Coach Charles Pollard.

“Like I said before, it’s very important, because we were advocating to head to the Elite League for a while now, but under circumstances, we were not qualified due to the authority. But we took the route, we had to go and play in the West Side league, win the League and then come to the play-off. Unfortunately, we lost the playoff finals, but we get a next opportunity by playing the second-to-last team from the last Elite League,” Pollard shared.
He added, “So, I think this is good for us.”
As the Coach shared, Slingerz faltered on the first hurdle, succumbing to a 1-0 loss against Monedderlust FC in the Elite League Promotional Play-off final.
Now, in hindsight, the Coach has chalked that performance up to nerves from his players.

The Slingerz Coach explained, “No, I think we have a lot of youngsters in the team, and both games was nerves. I think we felt that we had to win, but I think the performance did not shape the results for the last game. Also tonight, was a little bit disappointed, but I understand these guys are under a lot of mental pressure. Like ‘we gotta win, we gotta win’. So, it was more than them tonight.”
With Slingerz having won the inaugural season of the Elite League in 2015/2016 and being one of the most storied clubs in Guyana, Pollard admitted that there would be pressure on the team heading into the League. As such, some shopping is expected this transfer window.
About their intention to pick up some fresh faces in the January transfer window, Pollard said, “I think when we build the team, we build the team to get past the West Side league. So, the transfer market open, I think we’re gonna do some shopping. I think we need to strengthen certain areas, but I think we’re ready for the Elite League.
“Slingerz alone, the name is a lot of attention, it’s a lot of pressure on players and staff to deliver, and we have a wide support base. So, the pressure is always on Slingerz,” the Coach further stated.
The Sixth Season of the Elite League is set to commence on Sunday, February 25, at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).