Despite the lack of resources during their preparation for CFU Caribbean Cup third round qualifiers, Golden Jaguars Head-Coach Jamal Shabazz said his squad has the attitude and determination to secure a positive result against Suriname.
Guyana is slated to resume their Caribbean Cup campaign on October 8th against the Dutch nation in Paramaribo before locking horns with Jamaica three days later at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, West Coast Demerara.
Speaking during a press conference yesterday held at the Signature Inn before their 19:00hrs flight to the Dutch nation, Shabazz said “We have to think positive, because they are no drawn results in the group of three and everyone must have a result. So we cannot say that we are going to draw the match because we are playing away from home”
He declared “We have our attitude to rise above the challenge that we face in the lack of preparation and I am impressed with the attitude of the group to actually compete. It is very strange that the guys are so focused and committed, it encourages you [me] to put the challenges behind and focus solely on the objective which is to get the three points”
According to Shabazz “We would have liked to have a game or two under our belt. However even if we did, it is always difficult playing Suriname at their home. There is a lot history in this game and because of that, it’s left on the day because what we lack in preparation, we certainly make up for it with our attitude and determination”.
Asked about the composition of the squad and the reasons for the selections, the Trinidad and Tobago native said “We are excited and happy about the selection because the players we selected are actually playing and the local boys we selected are the ones we found fitter and up to the task right now”
According to Shabazz, the selection of the team has provided the opportunity for several new faces to make their introduction into the setup, revealing the likes of Kai McKenzie, Anani Mohammed, Cash London, Andrew Nestor and Warren Creavalle are the latest foreign Jaguars to be discovered.
He declared that the new players want to show their worth and the old players know the importance of the match, stating the squad is a good blend of young, old, foreign and local based players.
“I also chose to go with the elder Anthony Abrams who is 37 because he is regularly fit and he has often played there and has a good record against them. It is his old stomping ground so he could be the surprise package in the squad” Shabazz said.
However he added “One regret is that I would have liked Shaquille Agard in the squad, he was only able to come in for one day and he missed the session before we travelled. It’s unfortunate but other than that, we go with courage and confidence”.
Quizzed if he envisages remaining at the helm of the program upon the end of the championship, Shabazz posited consultation must occur with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the way forward, noting that “Normally I am someone who goes where fires are burning and help to put them out. The situation in Guyana is stabilizing. I have been here for 10 years and have given a lot of time and we will have to talk how I can ease out of the situation”.
He added “We still have to discuss it, however it’s not important now so let it don’t be an issue, adding that the focus should be on the impending fixtures. I see myself as Guyanese, I can say that in Trinidad and Tobago, that Guyana is a part of me and we will sit-down with the GFF and discuss.”
Similarly, GFF President Wayne Forde praised the work of the Trinidadian, labelling the work done by the coach throughout his tenure as outstanding and that any changes that occur will be done in professional manner following healthy discourse. He earlier noted that while the resources are not available to the nation as compared to the other Caribbean territories, he is confident that the team will represent the nation proudly.
The final squad reads Goalkeepers: Kai McKenzie Lyle (overseas) Andrew Nestor (overseas), Defenders Jake Newton (overseas), Samuel Cox (overseas), Quincy Adams, Walter Moore (overseas), Adrian Butters (overseas), Colin Nelson, Anani Mohammed (overseas), Midfielders Dwight Peters, Cash London (overseas), Trayon Bobb, Christopher Nurse (overseas), Brandon Beresford (overseas), Warren Creavalle (overseas), Daniel Wilson and Strikers, Anthony “Awo” Abrams, Vurlon Mills, Marcel Barrington (overseas) and Pernel Schultz.
