With the aim of commencing preparations for the impending World Cup Qualifiers and Gold Cup Playoffs, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has begun testing several national team players and staff for the Covid-19 virus.
This was disclosed by a source close to the federation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. According to the source, several players and members of the management staff completed their tests yesterday at the Herstelling Clinic, East Bank Demerara after they were initially contacted by the team manager about arranging the appointments.
The source disclosed, “The team manager contacted several players about scheduling appointments at the Herstelling Clinic so that the players can go and take the Covid-19 test because training is expected to resume shortly. I am not sure of the exact number or how many players were asked to test for the virus, which will be done for some players at the Herstelling Clinic and at different scheduled periods. A clinic on the East Coast of Demerara is supposed to be utilized as well.”
According to the source, among the players that were tested were Daniel Wilson, Sheldon Holder, Pernell Schultz, Kelsey Benjamin, Kevin Dundas, Curtez Kellman and Raphael Edwards. Denzil Hernandes, Charles Pollard and Rawle Adams of the management team were also examined.
The source further revealed, “While a date has not been confirmed for the resumption of training, the 27th of November is being looked at as a possibility to resume. Maybe when the tests are completed and the results come in then the GFF will probably decide. I believe they are looking to see how many players are safe to train before scheduling a date to start training.”
The Golden Jaguars have not competed on the international circuit for more than 368 days, with their previous encounter occurring against Aruba on November 15th 2019. Similarly, local club football has not resumed since January 1st 2020 because of COVID-19.
However for comparison, the 131st ranked Guatemala, Guyana’s slated first round foe in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Playoffs, has competed in five international matches during this period, three of which have occurred in the previous 47 days. The Guatemalans in their most recent engagement, bested CONCACAF powerhouse and three-time FIFA World Cup participant [1982, 2010 and 2014] Honduras 2-1 on November 15th.
Guatemala, who won the 1981 CONCACAF championship, the precursor to the Gold Cup, also faced off with Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama and Antigua and Barbuda.
The Guatemalans recorded a scoreless draw with Nicaragua on October 6th 2020 and lost to Mexico 3-0 on September 30th 2020. They also lost to Panama 2-0 on March 4th 2020, with their only other win during this five-game window arising against Antigua and Barbuda via a 7-0 scoreline. Domestic club football has also resumed in the Central American nation.
The Playoff Round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will be contested utilizing a direct elimination format, will be staged from July 2nd-6th in a centralized location in the United States. Following the end of the first round, 166th ranked Guyanese, if victorious against Guatemala, will lock horns with the winner of the Guadeloupe and The Bahamas tie for a place in group-C of the actual championship, which is scheduled for the period of July 10th-August 1st.
Meanwhile, Guyana was also drawn in group-F in the first stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The Golden Jaguars were placed with traditional rival Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas. The matches have been rearranged to commence in March 2021.
