AFTER losing to both Cuba and Antigua by a 2 – 0 scoring and ultimately exiting the CFU Olympic Qualifier, Guyana’s National U-23 team will face Aruba today in their final game of the tournament.

Cuba slammed Aruba 11 – 1 while Antigua and Barbuda hammered the Dutch Speaking Island 7 – 0 to set up a ‘winner take all’ clash at the Antigua Recreational Ground in St John’s, to see who will top Group 2.

“The Aruba game is important because it’s the battle of two teams for pride” coach Jamaal Shabazz said in an interview posted on Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) online news site (www.gffonline.com).

Shabazz said that like his side did against Cuba and Antigua “it is a good practice to play hard right down to the last minute.”

Reflecting on the tournament, Shabazz is of the opinion that “the team performed to its capacity with a little luck we could at best draw with Cuba and Antigua. Reality is, both countries gave a superior programme to us at this stage. I am proud of the guys but in football there are levels and Cuba and Antigua right now are more experienced more organised than us on and off the field.”

The usually outspoken Trinidadian while applauding his unit, made it clear “those who know football will know we not on par with those two teams but with a continuous programme and more resources into the team we will catch them.”

“Individually we have players on par with the Cubans and Antiguans in terms of technical ability, but tactical understanding our local based boys struggled and it shows our coaching at the lower age group needs more education and attention. People get offended but if you want to make omelette we got to have eggs,” Shabazz said.

The National U-23 team’s exit from the Olympic Qualifiers, adds to Guyana’s list of disappointment with Shabazz at the helm, since our senior men’s National team was also booted from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers by St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Failure is relative to where you are, where you started and what realistically were your objectives and possibilities,” Shabazz said.

“We did not achieve our objective to advance so we failed to do that. But maybe advancing would have given us a false sense of comfort that things are properly in place for our football development.
We advanced in 2011 and look at where we ended up after that. So is it about hype and illusions or building a programme that could have proper facilities for training, good support systems, and excellent opportunity for long term success,” the Golden Jaguars Coach highlighted.

While some are supportive and comfortable with Shabazz in control of Guyana’s football, an almost equal amount is very critical and used every medium possible, especially the Social Network, to vent their frustration and call for his resignation.

“The people who want me to resign are within their rights but they are the same people who did not want me to return,” Shabazz opined.

This is his third stint as National Coach and he is also known for leading Guyana to every historic moment in the sport.

“They see my spirit to bring people together as a threat to their negative agenda to steal the football and suppress individuals or groups who see things differently. I have been through highs and lows in my life. Ups and downs and this period is yet another test for my character, the faith in my Lord and the belief in me giving my best for my country. Yes my country.
When my contract is up they will see my back,” said Shabazz.