Golden Jaguars versus Barbados; more than just a game – coach Shabazz

FROM 19:00hrs tonight Barbados will host Guyana’s senior National Men’s football team, known as ‘The Golden Jaguars’, at the Barbados National Stadium. It is supposed to be just an International Friendly as both nations prepare for the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifiers later in the year, but, head coach of the Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz, has added an incentive to the game.

For years Barbados have been criticised for their alleged ill-treatment and inappropriate actions towards Guyanese nationals, who travel to the Island for vacation or even employment.
“I am throwing out a challenge to the Immigration authorities in Barbados as it relates to the game and our Guyanese people. If we beat you in this game you would not make life difficult for our Guyanese people who travel through the region not to cause problems, but to exercise their right for free movement to improve their condition,” Shabazz told a gathering of fans and reporters at the Jaguars’ Press Conference yesterday after their training session.
The two sides have met 15 times since 1993 with Barbados winning five of those encounters and Guyana taking six while they have played to three draws.
Their last meeting on October 7, 2011, Guyana won 2-0 thanks to goals from captain Christopher Nurse and striker Anthony Abrams – at the same venue chosen for tonight’s clash.
Shabazz is of the view that “matches like these Guyana must use to show our worth as a people and rise above the treatment meted out to us and Jamaicans as we travel through the region seeking legitimate sustenance.”
In an interview last week, Shabazz told Chronicle Sport that losing to the ‘Bajans’ is not an option and that they would heading to Barbados “with a strong intention to get a result because this is what we want to do – to get our minds to know that we have ambition. I can only talk about that.
After the game we can talk about what happened but for now, we’re preparing to get a result. No excuses. We have time on the clock and we’re going to get that win.”
Guyana squad for tonight’s game: Akel Clarke (GK), Derrick Carter (GK), Christopher Nurse (captain), Emery Welshman, Solomon Austin, Jamaal Smith, Colin Nelson, Kris Camacho, Joshua Browne, Dwain Jacobs, Trayon Bobb, Vurlon Mills, Eusi Phillips, Calvin Shepherd, Clive Nobrega, Sheldon Holder and Pernell Shultz.
Written By Rawle Toney

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