– “It’s not just about CFU, it’s the beginning stage to a four year plan” – Thompson

AFTER a hiatus of close to two years, the Golden Jaguars will roar once again as Guyana’s Senior National men’s team wing out today for St Kitts where they will compete in Group 6 of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup tournament.

The Guyanese will go into action against Dominica on Wednesday September 3, then face St Lucia on Friday September 5 and will play the host country September 9, with all matches set for Warner Park.

Walter Moore is the only player on the team with any exposure at playing internationally while the 17 other players are making their Golden Jaguars debut.

The squad reads: Goalkeepers- Oswald Cornette and Dorville Stewart; (Defenders)-Steffon Ramsay, Walter Moore, Quincy Adams, Adrian Adonis, Joshua Browne and Trevon Lythcott; (Midfielders) – Eusi Phillips, Jahal Greaves, Eon Alleyne, Mark Jhalu and Jamaal Harvey, and (Forwards) – Delwin Fraser, Delroy Fraser, Shaquille Agard, Clarence Huggins and William Europe.

The Manager is Carlos Bernard, while the Head Coach is Denzil Thompson, Assistant Coach- Dwain Babb, Physical Trainer – Germin Craig and Physiotherapist – Lacretia Abiola Blair.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport, Head Coach Denzil Thompson said that while persons have been critical about the players selected, the team represents a long term developmental plan by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

“It’s not just about CFU; it’s the beginning stage to a four year plan. We have a young set of players that will be playing for the first time with the exception of Walter Moore. We only had 10 days to prepare and that came from that little fiasco in football which took away from the time we could’ve used to prepare this team,” said Thompson.

Once again the Caribbean Cup will decide several teams that will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and, on this occasion, one which will obtain an automatic berth to the Centennial America Cup 2016.

The champion of the 2015 Gold Cup will then participate in a play-in match against the 2013 champion United States for a spot in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, but Thompson said that it’s not the GFF’s intention to have the team win or qualify for the aforementioned events, but a start to the Federation’s four year development plan.

Thompson pointed out that while other territories will assemble a team of their best local and overseas players, Guyanese should understand that the GFF position and situation is different.

“I’m aware that everyone will come with their best players but we have to play with what we have. I don’t want everyone to expect wonders from this bunch of players but I’ll ask that everyone encourage and support them and stop talking negative and just embrace the team,” said Thompson.

Quizzed about the notable exclusion of our top overseas players, Thompson said “I’m focusing on getting out of the first round now. Maybe after, yes we can include some of them that fit within our plan for development, but we will focus on this group first and starting our four year development. I believe in developing local players. You must have a core of players of whom you can select.”

The last sighting of the Gold Jaguars was against French Guiana in the 2012 CFU Caribbean Cup, which they won 4-3, thanks to a double from Shawn Beveney and a goal each from Vurlon Mills and Walter Moore.

(By Rawle Toney)