…unless FIFA and CONCACF say otherwise

EXACTLY twenty days before the start of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup, President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias has said that the ‘Golden Jaguars’ will participate at the event, unless FIFA and CONCACAF say otherwise.

Guyana’s football is in turmoil, following another disastrous ending to the GFF’s General Council meeting which took place at the Regency Hotel in Georgetown on Saturday last, coupled with the fact that Matthias had made it clear that the Federation is mostly focusing on youth development.

The GFF boss in an August edition of Chronicle Sport had outlined his Federation’s plans for the remainder of the year; none of which involved the neglected senior national team.

“Yes, we will be playing at the CFU Caribbean cup, unless FIFA and CONCACAF say otherwise. We will be hosting a press conference shortly,” Matthias said when contacted via telephone yesterday.

Asked about the naming of a national coach since the event is less than three weeks away, Matthias said, “That will be announced shortly. But we will be playing, unless other things come up.”

Guyana is drawn to play against hosts St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St Lucia in Group Six of the CFU Caribbean Cup which begins on September 1.

The Golden Jaguars, according to fixtures published by FIFA and the CFU, will play their first game of the tournament on Wednesday, September 3 against Dominica, followed by a clash with St Lucia on Friday, September 5 and St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday, September 7.

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.

It’s been close to two years since Guyana’s senior National team, popularly known as the ‘Golden Jaguars’ have been seen or even heard of.

In fact, the Golden Jaguars’ last game was against French Guiana in the 2012 Caribbean Football Union (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)