The last time Guyana and Antigua met was in the final round of last year’s Digicel Caribbean championships where the locals lost two goals to one; now seven months later, the two sides will meet in the opening game of this year’s Parbo Bier Cup in Suriname.
Under new management and coach, the Jaguars are on the comeback trail after a miserable year in 2008 where they not only lost in the Digicel tournament, but they were also knocked out in the second round of the FIFA world cup qualifiers by Suriname.
The previous unit included players with major professional experience and was under the guidance of former technical Director Jamaal Shabazz with National Sports commission (NSC) 2008 Coach of the year Wayne Dover as head coach.
Shabazz and Dover had led the team to a two-year unbeaten run, also propelling Guyana to its highest FIFA world ranking of 90. But things took a turn for the worse and the national side went into a slump, prompting calls for change.
The new Jaguars unit only features a few players who have had stints with the previous team with the most notable being defensive stalwart Howard Lowe, who was also named captain of the team. Taking over from previous national coach Wayne Dover is Paul James while his assistants are Gavin Brown and Billal Nantambu with Lawrence Griffith as the manager. James in several interviews with this newspaper indicated that he was happy to work with the team in its rebuilding stages and also predicted success in Suriname.
Lowe who was named captain of the young team told Stabroek Sports that while they did not have the amount of preparation required, he is banking on the team’s good form in their practice matches and scrimmages to lead them home.
Also he noted that the players are the best in their respective clubs so the fitness level is high and the camaraderie is also commendable.
The 30-year-old played in the squad that lost to Antigua 2-1 with Guyana’s lone goal coming from Randolph Jerome at the end of the first half of the contest. However, his unit does not have Jerome or Collie ‘Hitman’ Hercules and defender Charles Pollard but he hopes that the young players will adjust quickly.
Guyana and Antigua will take the field at the Andre Kampervene Stadium at 6 pm local time.
The Golden Jaguars team reads:
Goalkeepers: Shemroy Arthur (Pele), Ronson Williams (Alpha) Richie Richards (Camptown).
Defenders: Howard Lowe, Quincy Madramootoo, Devon Harris, Keron Cameron, Reshawn Sandiford and Randy Small
Midfield: Travis Grant, Emerick Williams, Philbert Moffat, Sceyon Hope, Warren Gilkes, Dwayne Jacobs and Dirk Archer.
Forwards: Edison Gomes, Clive Andries, Peter Parks and Delroy Deen.
