SOME pundits are calling them the ‘redemption’ squad but to them, they are just a team who want to win against Barbados on Sunday and get a result which doesn’t include losing. Guyana’s Senior National Football Team, more popularly known as the Golden Jaguars, departed Guyana yesterday from the Ogle International Airport with the aim of winning their International Friendly against the ‘Bajans’ at the Barbados National Stadium.

The last time the two sides met was on October 7, 2011 and Guyana posted a 2-0 victory over Barbados, also at the National Stadium.
Christopher Nurse, will once again be given the hand band while Canadian Emery Welshman will have his first International cap after being selected in the 18-man squad.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Pro-League side Central FC goalkeeper Akel Clarke and Derrick Carter are the chosen custodians while the defence will be managed by Solomon Austin (Western Tigers), Jamaal Smith (Caledonia AIA), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), Kris Camacho (Alpha United), Joshua Brown (Slingerz FC) and Dwain Jacobs (Slingerz FC).
Trayon Bobb (Caledonia AIA), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Eusi Phillips (GDF), Calvin Shepherd (Slingerz FC) and Clive Nobrega (Slingerz) FC along with Nurse are the midfield players.
Welshman, the former Toronto FC forward, is joined by Alpha United’s Sheldon Holder and Caledonia AIA’s Pernell Schultz
“We’re optimistic because we have a lot of talented players. We had ten days working together and we were very organised and disciplined heading into this game, so, we’re looking forward to getting this result. We also expect everyone to work hard because it’s the first time the players are actually going to be playing together,” Nurse said, prior to their departure yesterday.
Head coach Jamaal Shabazz had told Chronicle Sport recently that the game will reveal the truth about where Guyana football is at the moment; a statement which Nurse endorsed and stated, “The result will come once all of them go out there and play to the best of their ability.
It’s not about putting pressure on players to get the result, but to actually play to the best of their ability and let the result take care of itself.”

(Rawle Toney)