GUYANA’S Senior National Men’s football team – the Golden Jaguars – will roar against arch rivals Suriname tonight from 19:00hrs at the Andre Kamperveen stadium in Paramaribo.The countries are bitter rivals in sports and the discipline of football might be the richest of them all. Dating back to colonial times, Guyana and Suriname have battled each other and the team’s captain Dwain Jacobs said despite the match being used as a precursor to their World Cup Qualifying match in June against St Vincent and the Grenadines, losing is not an option.
Both teams will be using tonight’s game as a dress rehearsal for the 2018 qualifiers, searching for the right combination but Jamaal Shabazz, Guyana head coach had stated recently that this time around, there will be a major difference when compared to their last meeting in 2010 when the Jaguars walked away 2-0 winners.
Not since 2008 have Suriname defeated Guyana (2-1), but this time around, behind former Dutch International and Ajax star Dean Gorré, the Surinamese will have a team filled with the country’s top players.
More than 100 players with Surinamese roots play professionally in the Dutch leagues and some have historically helped the former colony claim major championships.
A legislation to change the law on nationality and citizenship, allowing players with non-Surinamese passports to represent the country, was passed in the country’s National Assembly, allowing several players who play for Dutch teams to represent Suriname in their World Cup Qualifier in June.
Unlike their three previous international friendlies played this year, Guyana will turn to their locally based players, with Shabazz only opting to use Caledonia AIA forward Pernell Shultz, Canada-based Adrian Butters and USA’s Kevin Beaton.
Dwain Jacobs was named captain of the squad that features goalkeeper Derrick Carter (Western Tigers) and Akel Clark (Central FC), defenders Jamaal Smith (Alpha United), Colin Nelson (Slingerz FC), King Solomon Austin (Slingerz FC), Joshua Brown (Slingerz FC), Adrian Butters (Canada) and Kris Camacho.
Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United), Konata Manning (Alpha United), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors) and Amos Ramsey (GDF) are the midfield players, while Pernell Shultz (Caledonia AIA), Sheldon Holder (Alpha United) and Kevin Beaton (USA) are the forwards.
Jacobs told Chronicle Sport that the game is one which means a lot to the players since in recent times, Guyana have enjoyed great success against Suriname and would want to maintain the strong hold against their Dutch counterparts.
“As long as we execute the coach’s plan and strategies, we will come out on top. The most important thing about this game for us is getting everyone on one level as we head into June,” said Jacobs.
Meanwhile for Butters and Beaton, two players who spent a considerable amount of time in the youth systems of the National team it means that they have another chance of impressing the man whom they would’ve played under in years past.
“It feels great being back with the team with the guys that I’ve played with in U-17 and U-23 and I’m grateful for the coaching staff, those who I know very well, for welcoming me back into the team and it’s a pleasure being part of the programme,” said Beaton.
According to Butters, “It’s an honour to be back and representing Guyana. I’ve seen a lot of players that I played with in the past and the new ones coming into the setup. I’m just excited to work hard and do my best.”

By Rawle Toney