23-man Golden Jaguars squad confirmed for Courts Caribbean Classic

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz has confirmed a 23-man senior national squad to represent Guyana in the three-team Courts Caribbean Classic against Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago this weekend.

Guyana will take on Barbados on Sunday, March 27, and hosts Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, March 29, in what is dubbed an international friendly tournament.

The competition is designed to prepare the rivals for their forthcoming Concacaf Nations League B fixtures in June.

Shabazz has handed recalls to playmaker Neil Danns, former captain Sam Cox and forward Terell Ondaan.

The squad reads: Akel Clarke (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica), Alex Murray (Santos FC, Guyana), Kevin Layne (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica), Omari Glasgow (Chicago Fire), Jeremy Garrett (GDF, Guyana), Marcus Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana), Quincy Adams (Western Tigers, Guyana), Clive Nobrega (Eagles, Guyana), Samuel Cox (UK), Pernell Schultz (Police FC, Guyana), Daniel Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana), Job Caesar (GDF, Guyana), Leo Lovell (Dem Amstel, Guyana), Kelsey Benjamin (GDF, Guyana), Neil Danns (Maccesfield, UK), Javier George (York Utd, Canada), Nathan Moriah Welch (Bournemonth FC, UK), Trayon Bobb (Western Tigers, Guyana), Jamal Pereira (Dem Amstel, Guyana), Tyrell Ondaan (FCU Craiova 1948, Romania), Ryan Hackett (GDF), Shemar Fraser (Police FC, Guyana) and Jamanine Beckles (Santos FC, Guyana).

Reserves: Jemar Harrigan (Police FC, Guyana), Kevin Dundas (Dem Amstel, Guyana), Darron Niles (Santos FC, Guyana) and Sese Norville (Western Tigers, Guyana).

Staff: Jamaal Shabazz (Head Coach), Wayne Dover (Assistant Coach), Charles Pollard (Assistant Coach), Dwain Babb (Assistant Coach/Asst. Trainer), Eon Deviera (Goalkeeper Coach), Dylan Palmer (Trainer), Trevor Burnett (Equipment Manager), Earl Paul (Equipment Officer), Dexter George (Physiotherapist) and Rawle Adams (Team Manager).

“Our goal in these matches is to integrate the local core from the Suriname trip with some of the overseas based,” said Head Coach Shabazz.

“We want to test the patterns of play we’ve been working on and rekindle our rivalry with Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.”

“The local based players and staff have shown tremendous commitment, rising above a few challenges,” Shabazz added.  “And the guys who have committed from overseas have my admiration.”

Former Premier League playmaker Danns has enjoyed a successful season in England with North West Counties League Premier Division champions Macclesfield, while Ondaan has been plying his trade in the top flight of Romanian football.

Guyana participated in a friendly, three-team tournament with Suriname and Barbados in January, but the competition was cut short by the discovery of COVID-19 cases.

As such, the Courts Caribbean Classic will be a crucial stepping stone towards the Concacaf Nations League this year.

“Everything in these two matches is geared towards the Concacaf Nations League,” Shabazz said.

“Commitment to the program is key, and the sacrifices being made now go a long way with me.”