GFF looking for overseas talent to beef up U20 side

With the aim of qualifying from a daunting group featuring El-Salvador, Guatemala and Curacao in the CONCACAF Under-20 football tournament, Guyana will attempt to secure the services of 10 overseas-born and based players.

According to a source close to the management staff, “The management staff is presently engaging about 10 overseas-born and based players to possibly play in the tournament. Some of them are a part of the English setup, while others are in Canadian and American colleges.

“More overseas players are also being identified and looked at for the event. This will strengthen the overall squad and improve the team’s chances of making the knockout rounds. There is a very high possibility that many of them will be available to play in the event.”

Presently, 26 local players have been shortlisted in a provisional squad. They are Goalkeeper Jonathan Copeland, Sese Norville, Jermaine Cumberbatch, Denzil Smith, Defenders Cecil Jackman, Nixon Robertson, Javier Smith, Rishawn Ritch, Neston Brown, Lionel Holder, Kevin Padmore Midfielders Ryan Dowding, Brentsley Allicock, Stefan Reynolds, Nicolas Mc Arthur, Ryan Hackett, Job Caesar, Kelsey Benjamin, Chris Macey, Tyrese Forde, Andre Mayers, Rondel Peters and Forwards Leon Richardson, Adrian Aaron Camptown, Dwayne Robeiro and David Coates.

Guyana will faceoff with Guatemala at 10:30hrs in their opening clash on November 2nd, before battling Cayman Islands four days later.

They will then oppose Curacao from 12:45hrs in the third matchup on November 8th, before concluding their group campaign on November 10th against El Salvador from 19:45hrs.

Wayne Dover will serve as the Head-Coach of the Golden Jaguars, with O’Neil Heywood of Den Amstel FC the assistant coach.

The other members of the management squad are Gregory Richardson [striker coach], Vurlon Mills [In Possession Coach], Anthony Belfield [Out of Possession Coach], Phillip Carrington [Goalkeeper Coach], Wilson Toledo [Coach Developer & Head of Sports Science], Dr. Alex Hawkins [Team Doctor], Denzel Hernandez [Physiotherapist], Asser Lutu [Performance Analyst & Head Scout], Team Operations Coordinator [Daniel Thomas] and Travis Moore [Equipment Manager].