Richardson gets Golden Jaguars recall

Gregory Richardson has been recalled to the Golden Jaguars senior side following a prolonged absence as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officially released their provisional squad for the impending international friendly against Suriname.

Richardson, following his exploits in the GFF Stag Beer Elite League, will be a member of the squad which will begin preparation from today at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground for the match on February 21 at the National Stadium in Providence.

Richardson will be joined by five other Pele team-mates in the squad which features 11 Alpha United players, three Slingerz FC players, two Fruta Conquerors players, and one player each from GFC, GDF and Monedderlust FC.

Gregory Richardson
Gregory Richardson

Under the guidance of head-coach and Trinidad and Tobago native Jamaal Shabazz, the squad consisting of predominantly locals read Alex Murray (Alpha United), Dorville Stewart (Alpha United), Solomon Austin (Alpha United), Joshua Brown (Alpha United), Colin Nelson (Alpha United), Sherwin Skeete (Alpha United), William Europe (Alpha United), Dwain Jacobs (Alpha United), Andrew Murray (Alpha United), Dellon Lanferman (Alpha United), Anthony Belfield (Alpha United), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Dominic Garnett (Slingerz FC), Devon Millington (Pele), Jermaine Somerset (Pele), Mark McLean (Pele), Konata Manning (Pele), Gregory Richardson (Pele), Travis Grant (Pele), Alwyn Mc Donald, Kevin Cottoy (Monedderlust), Linden Pickett (GFC), Delwyn Fraser (GDF), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors) and surprise selection Dwain Lindie (Fruta Conquerors).

Notable exclusions from the squad include Travis Henry (Monedderlust FC), Delroy Fraser (GDF), Denver Dennis (Buxton United), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Les Charles Critchlow (Slingerz FC), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Eusi Phillips (GDF), Jermaine Junior (Fruta Conquerors) and Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors).

On the management side, Wayne Dover will act as the Assistant Coach while Rawle Adams, Faizal Khan and Andrew Hazel will serve in the capacities of Team Manager, Press Liaison Officer and Goalkeeper Coach respectively.

The other members of the staff are Anson Ambrose, Beverley Nelson, Trevor Burnette and Earl Paul who will act as Trainer, Physiotherapist, Equipment Manager and Equipment Officer correspondingly.

Guyana’s most recent meeting with the Dutch nation resulted in a 1-0 defeat. The Golden Jaguars were drawn in Group-5 of the 2016/17 CFU Caribbean Cup tournament which is slated to kick off during the period of March-21st-29th. The other members of the group are Puerto Rico and Anguilla.

The likes of Haiti, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago will not participate during the opening period due to their ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Round two of the event is slated to commence during the month of May, with the third round scheduled to begin in October. The 5th Place playoff will take place in the month of November while the grand finale will occur in May of 2017.

The top four teams during the conclusion of the event will qualify to the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Guyana’s last international fixture came against St. Vincent and the Grenadines during the failed 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Campaign in June of 2016.

The 2014 edition of the event witnessed Guyana making a first round exit, losing twice and securing one draw in their matches with an inexperienced side featuring predominantly local players who were making their debuts.