CFU Qualifiers……Local players to be given “first bite”

— Dover

While the composition of the Golden Jaguars team for the upcoming Caribbean Football Union qualifiers is expected to include both local and overseas based players Wayne Dover, Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach says that the local players will be given first preference.

“The head coach would have said to the local based players that they were given the first bite of the cherry and that everything rests with them on how the final squad is made up because if they perform and earn their spots, there will be more local based players on the team,” said Dover yesterday in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sports.

“If we include more foreign based players in the final squad, it is because of the performances of the local based players,” he said.

Wayne Dover
Wayne Dover

“What I know for sure, the open policy is to include all the players that make themselves available whether they are local based or foreign born or foreign based,” he added.

Dover said that a number of overseas-based players had made themselves available. “There is an open policy to whoever make themselves available once they are playing and performing. A number of overseas players have made themselves available and have indicated their willingness,” he said.

According to Dover, the head coach would have asked the team manager to give the federation that information for the release of the names. That information will be relayed at a later time he said.

Asked when the foreign based players are expected to join the training squad, Dover said they are expected to join the team before the final encampment.

Fresh off their 2-0 win over Suriname featuring an entirely local unit, Guyana is set to open its Group-5 campaign on March 22nd at the National Stadium against Anguilla. They will then travel to Puerto Rico for their March 29th fixture against the hosts.

Round two of the event is set to commence in May, with the third round scheduled to begin in October. The fifth place playoff will take place in November while the final will take place in May of 2017.

The top four teams at the conclusion of the event will qualify for 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.

Presently the locally based training squad which is under the guidance of Head-coach Jamal Shabazz reads Alex Murray (Alpha United), Solomon Austin (Alpha United), Joshua Brown (Alpha United), Colin Nelson (Alpha United), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United), Trayon Bobb (Slingerz FC), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC), Dellon Lanferman (Alpha United), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Quincy Adams, Devon Millington (Pele), Mark McLean (Pele), Konata Manning (Pele), Gregory Richardson (Pele), Travis Grant (Pele), Alwyn McDonald (Monedderlust), Linden Pickett (GFC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors), Jahaal Greaves (Fruta Conquerors), Trevon Lythcott (Fruta Conquerors), Dwain Lindie (Fruta Conquerors) and Reshawn Sandiford (Fruta Conquerors).

With regards to the other members of the management unit, Dover will serve as the assistant coach while Rawle Adams and Andrew Hazel will serve as Team Manager 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.