“We’ve the effort to compete at the next level” – Lady Jags’ Clarke

By Jemima Holmes

A spot in the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup awaits Guyana’s national U20 women’s team if they can finish top two in their group at the CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championships which kick off today.

Ahead of their opening fixture today against the USA, Guyana have been in rigorous preparation for the all-important tournament, being hosted in Costa Rica.
One of the team’s most experienced players, Heike Clarke expressed hopes to Guyana Times Sport that their preparation will pay off.
“I’m really hoping that with all this extra work we’ve put in over the last couple of months, now bringing everybody together, I hope it transitions well in our first game against the US on Friday (today) and our games against Costa Rica and Puerto Rico,” Clarke shared with this publication.
Clarke, who had a front row seat to Guyana’s storied rivalry with Haiti in this particular competition in 2022, shared how her team’s morale was boosted from that win.

The defender with senior team experience noted, “I think that we went into Haiti, obviously, like the underdogs. They were top of the group at the time as well, and I think what gave us a bit of edge was our chemistry as a team and that extra bit of fire that we have in us. So, I think going in, respecting the teams that we’re playing, knowing they’re very good teams and showing that respect, allows us to kind of adjust to that and we know now that we have the ability to respond to that.”
Expounding on the underdog mentality that the Lady Jags will be entering their clash against USA with, Clarke expressed confidence in her team’s ability.
“Obviously, we’re going into that game [against USA] fully respecting our opponent and keeping that in mind, but yeah, I think our chemistry that we’ve been building off these last couple weeks and also, like back in February again, we’re going in not scared but with that confidence that we have the effort to give and to compete at the next level,” the experienced campaigner expressed.
Visibly excited for the challenge ahead, the defender is keen on making Guyana and its football enthusiasts proud.
“I’m super excited. Like two years ago I played with the team as well in the U20 tournament that we fell short in the group stage because of goal differential and that was obviously devastating,” Clarke articulated, “So, when we won in February, it was historic as well, but it was also really exciting for the team to respond to what had happened two years ago.”
“Everybody is so excited that we’re in the position where we can qualify for the World Cup in Poland, make history and make everybody proud. It’s just kind of in the back of our minds too, it’s just what can we do next to make everybody proud again.”

Guyana is in Group A of the CONCACAF Women’s U20 Championships alongside USA, hosts Costa Rica and Puerto Rico.
The Junior Lady Jags will need a top two finish in the group to book a place in the 2026 U20 World Cup and move on to the CONCACAF tournament’s semi-finals, both for the first time in the team’s history.
The clash between Guyana and USA’s women is billed to get going at 13:00h today.
The Junior Lady Jags team reads: Goalkeepers – Deena Fredericks, Kymora Chung and Alexis Mars; Defenders – Heike Clarke, Sarah DaSilva Maliyah Gangadin, Jaida Tucker Anaya Joseph, Naomi Benjamin, Shareina Langevine; and Midfielders and Forwards – Liyah Meniler, Sydney Glean, Kimora Edwards, Akeelah Vancooten, Jayda Schoburgh, Nydel Nelson, Nyanne Fernandes, Devi Sookdeo, Allia Henry, Alexis Bayley and Se-Hanna Mars.