Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
Golden Jaguars 18 named for Barbados friendly on Sunday
Chris Nurse returns as Captain
USA based midfielder Christopher Nurse is back as Captain of the Golden Jaguars for Sunday’s
Golden Jaguars during final training session ahead of today’s departure for Barbados.
international friendly against Barbados in that island. The 18-man squad was released by Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz yesterday following 10 days of training. The team is expected to leave today for Barbados.
In announcing the players who made the cut for this game which will be used by the Barbadians as preparation for the CONCACAF Preliminary Competition for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, Shabazz noted that the initial squad which included three Canadian based players did their best to catch the eyes of the Technical Staff during the camp.
”The players all worked hard displaying tremendous enthusiasm and discipline. It was also very instructive that the Normalization Committee ensured all the players were paid their per diem stipends before they left camp. This is a huge sign of their commitment to player’s welfare and a professional approach.
”The unity and togetherness shown by the players during the camp made it impossible to tell who was foreign based or local based”, Shabazz shared.
He also commented on the team selection: “We selected the players whom we thought are more match ready in terms of fitness and the ones who would adapt to the tactics given the short period. It’s a good blend of youth and experience with more than half the squad under 25. At this point there are no more foreign or local players the selected squad is in fact the Guyana National Team.”
The game is set for Sunday from 19:00hrs at the Barbados National Stadium which now boasts an improved surface. While the Barbadians will engage US Virgin Islands in their Round One (Match 3) CONCACAF Preliminary Qualifying game for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 on March 23 at home, Guyana will commence their quest in Round Two (Match 8) away to St. Vincent & the Grenadines in June. The games will be home and away fixtures.
Speaking directly to Sunday’s encounter, Shabazz stated that game will reveal the truth about where Guyana’s football is at the moment.
”Because of the heights we want to take Guyana football we need to keep it real as to where we are right now. The Barbados game will not lie it will tell the truth in the results and the scoreline. The Guyana public is tired of deception and spinners of the truth. Before we can go anywhere we first got to know where we are. This game on Sunday will tell us that.”
Nurse, who was at the helm of the Golden Jaguars when Guyana made it to the third round of CONCACAF qualifying for the first time ever, led the Guyanese to respective 2-0 wins in their home and away ties for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
He scored the final goal against the Bajans in the return game there (October 7, 2011) after their win at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on September 2, 2011.
The 18-man squad named: Goalkeepers: Akel Clarke, Derrick Carter. Defenders: Solomon Austin, Jamaal Smith, Colin Nelson, Kris Camacho, Joshua Brown, Dwain Jacobs. Midfielders: Christopher Nurse (Captain), Eusi Phillips, Clive Nobrega, Calvin Shepherd, Vurlon Mills, Daniel Wilson, Trayon Bobb. Forwards: Sheldon Holder, Pernell Schultz, Emery Welshman (debut).
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