Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
GFF Head Coach Shabazz eager to get going for new season
CFU Championship high on radar; training to commence next week
By Franklin Wilson
“I am very excited to get back on the field. So excited if I get a passport I might
Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and the Golden Jaguars during training at the Leonora Football Filed in May 2015.
register myself as a player who knows.” The words of Head Coach of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Jamaal Shabazz who spoke with Kaieteur Sport on his plans for the new season.
The former Trinidad and Tobago National Player who is on his third stint – a two-year contract which was signed in March 2015 – as Head Coach of Guyana’s flagship senior team, the Golden Jaguars is anxiously awaiting the recommencement of training for the senior team.
Guyana has been drawn in Group 5 of the Caribbean Football Union 2016 Men’s Caribbean Cup which also features Puerto Rico and Anguilla.
Shabazz noted that it is important for the national team to get back into a training routine whilst playing matches against regional and international teams since it’s the only way they can develop and be competitive.
He shared his view on the Men’s Caribbean Cup draw: “I like the draw. Puerto Rico is a tricky
GFF Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz has the full attention of his Golden Jaguars at the Guyana National Stadium during training in March 2015.
bunch whose programme is emerging well and we must ensure a good preparation. While Anguilla is lesser known but I remember when Guyana was little known as well.”
In order to put together a well oiled unit, Shabazz informed that training will commence next week.
“We plan to start training next week and the door is open again to everyone once they are prepared to be disciplined and conform. The only idiot in the squad must be me and everyone knows I can be quite stupid at times I will not tolerate anyone trying to be disruptive. But all is starting on a clean sheet again.”
Zooming in on advancement to the later rounds of the Caribbean championship, the nononsense Shabazz posited that progression in the group depends on the level of preparation the team is afforded.
“We must have facilities and equipment; you cannot put the cart ahead of the horse. If you want to make an omelette you need eggs.”
Round 1 of the CFU competition will be contested from March 21-29; Round 2 May 15-21; Round 3 October 3-11; Fifth Place Playoff November 7-15; and the finals are scheduled for May 2017.
The inaugural Stag Elite League sponsored by Ansa McAl saw the Genesis (first half) contested in the latter part of 2015 and was won by Slingerz FC, the youngest of all the competing clubs. The second half, called the Finale is expected to kick off shortly.
Shabazz offered his take on the importance of the Stag Elite League: “The Elite League is the most vital part of our preparation for CFU. It gives the staff a window to shop and the players an avenue to showcase themselves. I can only wonder what IF, if we had this Stag Elite League two years ago.”
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