Newcomer Bonds in Golden Jaguars squad to face French Guiana
Dagenham and Redbridge’s Elliot Bonds has received his first call-up to the Guyana Men’s National squad as Neil Danns, Colin Nelson and Marcel Barrington return for the Concacaf Nations League qualifier with French Guiana in Cayenne on November 20.
Head Coach Michael Johnson has named a 21-man squad, bringing together players based at clubs in Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, England, the United States, Finland and Portugal. The squad commences its encampment for the fixture on Wednesday in Suriname.
“This is a crucial match for the Golden Jaguars in our bid to qualify for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time in Guyana’s footballing history. We are taking a strong, balanced and talented squad with a great blend of local players and those plying their trade overseas,” said Head Coach Johnson. “We are all 110% focused on making Guyanese fans proud in Cayenne next week.”
18-year-old midfielder Bonds plays in England’s National League – the fifth tier of English football. The squad includes US-based striker Emery Welshman, whose FC Cincinatti team will play Major League Soccer in 2019.
Neil Danns, Marcel Barrington and Colin Nelson return after missing out on the Concacaf Nations League qualifier against Barbados in September. Guyana currently lies 11th in the Concacaf Nations League qualification table, with four points from two games. In 16th place is French Guiana.
The top 10 will qualify for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, while the top six will qualify for Concacaf Nations League A alongside the United States, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Panama and Honduras.
Teams placed seventh to 22nd will compete in Concacaf Nations League B. Guyana’s final qualification match will be played against Belize at Leonora Stadium on March 23, 2019.
The squad: