The Guyana Football Federation [GFF], has shortlisted a 31 member locally based provisional squad to begin preparations tomorrow at the GFF’s National Training Centre, Providence, for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League campaign.
The squad reads Goalkeepers:- Alex Murray, Akel Clarke, Sese Norville and Clive Matthews, Defenders:- Sherwin Skeete, Simeon Moore, Kevin Dundas, Omar Brewley, Raphael Edwards, Kevin Layne, Quincy Adams, Solomon Austin, Anson Lewis, William Europe and Shemar Fraser, Midfielders:- Ryan Dowding, Leo Lovell, Franklin Parks, Daniel Wilson, Jahaal Greaves, Deon Charter, Ryan Hackett, Clive Nobrega, Pernel Schultz, Delwyn Fraser and Forwards:- Jamaal Pereira, Delroy Fraser, Jamal Haynes, Randolph Wagner, Donovan Francis and David Blake.
According to a release from the federation Charles Pollard, the Golden Jaguars Assistant Coach said, “We’re continuously looking for players with the right combination of technical skill, heart and commitment to represent Guyana. I believe this squad reflects that. While the majority of the squad is taken from those who were part of the previous training programme, we have brought in some new players who have shown creditable performance in the recently-held tournaments and who have to fight for a place when the short list is made.”
He added: “One of those players is young Ryan Dowding who performed well during the recently-concluded GFF-KFC U20 Tournament. Careful consideration was made to the squad selection by a technical panel including Head of Recruitment, Faizal Khan, Goalkeeper-Coach Eon De Vieira, Fitness Coach Wilson Toledo Head Coach, Michael Johnson, Technical Director Ian Greenwood and me.”
Pollard further revealed, “Fitness in the sport, especially during this time, can never be underestimated so while some of the guys have been actively engaged in tournaments, others may not have been so active so the fitness regime will test this to determine their overall readiness and will also point us to areas to focus on.” Fitness evaluation is scheduled for Saturday.
The Golden Jaguars will commence their League-B campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League September 6th away to Aruba in Curacao.
It will be the first of six matches for the 21st ranked Guyanese. Following their match-up with the 31st ranked Arubans, Guyana will host 6th ranked Jamaica on September 9th.
The second round of matches will occur in October, with Guyana travelling to the 22nd ranked Antigua and Barbuda unit on the 11th, before hosting the reverse fixture three days later.
The final round of matches will then occur during the month of November. Guyana will host Aruba on the 15th, before travelling to Jamaica three days later. Winner of the group will advance to the League-A section of the competition in the subsequent edition.
All the competing teams were assigned into Leagues A, B, and C following their performances in the recently concluded Nations League qualifiers.
The four group winners from League-A will qualify to the Nations League final championship slated for March 2020, which will determine the champion of the competition.
The last-placed League-A nations in each group will be relegated to League-B for the next edition of the tournament.
Identically, the four group winners from League-B will be promoted to League-A, while the cellar occupants of each group will be relegated to League-C for the next edition.
The same formalities will apply to League-C. The four group winners will be promoted to League-B, but the bottom four group finishers will remain in the same League.
