Newly-appointed national captain Howard Lowe says that it’s a joy for him to lead the refurbished Golden Jaguars in Suriname this week as they contest the biennial Parbo Bier Cup tournament against French Guiana, Antigua and the host.
Speaking exclusively with Stabroek Sport shortly before leaving for the Dutch-speaking country yesterday, Lowe said he is more than encouraged by the respect he has been getting from the young bunch and lauded their enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
“It’s a pleasure leading this team right now, trust me… because it’s a squad of players who are hungry to learn and given the fact that this is a rebuilding stage for us, it brings an even more wonderful feeling for us, you know,” the central defender added.
The 30-year-old Lowe has been a permanent fixture on the senior national side for over a decade and has played an important role in the previous unit that has played undefeated for two years while taking Guyana to its highest FIFA world ranking of 90.
Lowe is known throughout the Caribbean for his tenacious defending and for forming what was known as the ‘Twin Towers’ with former national captain Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard.
But after Guyana’s exit from the World cup qualifiers in the second round and Digicel Caribbean Champion-ship, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) said it would give the national unit a complete makeover.
Lowe said that although he had grown accustomed to playing alongside Pollard, Collie Hercules and Kayode McKinnon for almost his entire career, this new group of players brings something new to Guyana’s football and he is optimistic about the team’s success.
“Well there is a big difference with this team as compared to the last one,” he said. “First of all I think these young players are very disciplined, they are more youthful and I think given the fact that they listen and show great respect to seniority they will go a far way.
“But it’s a different feeling altogether because I got so used to playing with Collie and Charlie but I think I can lead this young bunch to great things, you know.”
When asked if he feels any pressure since he’s the most senior player on the squad, the towering and well built Lowe said: “It’s no pressure really, but it’s a lot of work for me… you see most of these players are young and have never represented Guyana at this level before so I think I can get them in line and along with the new coaching staff, we can do it.”
He says further that the few players in the team who have had stints with the previous Jaguars unit will have to step up, mentioning Dwayne Jacobs, Edison Gomes, Emerick Williams and Dirk Archer.
Goalkeeper Ronson Williams also came in for high praise from the veteran defender. Lowe said Williams is extremely talented between the uprights and has a far way to go if he continues.
He said that while the preparation of the team was not the best, it was satisfactory for the short time they were together. He stressed that given the fact all of the players were active with their clubs in the respective leagues, their level of fitness was up to par.
Lowe who hails from the mining town of Linden said his defensive line is well prepared and based on what he has seen in the practice matches and in training, the players have been reacting pretty well.
Nevertheless, the Jaguars captain says that he is not making any promises of winning the tournament, only that the new look national side will go out and give a good account of themselves and make Guyana proud.
The team will be in action tomorrow against French Guiana at 16:00 hours local time at the Andre Kampervene stadium.
