WAYNE ‘Wiggy’ Dover will return to the helm of Guyana’s National football team – The Golden Jaguars – for their March 28 first-time encounter against Martinique at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden.
While the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is yet to make an official announcement on the composition of the technical staff and squad for the game, Dover yesterday confirmed his appointment with Chronicle Sport.
Dover, when contacted and asked about his being named National coach, stated “Yes, I was appointed (as National coach), but I think the GFF will make an official announcement tomorrow (today), and I’m here for any comments after that.”
The GFF has been tight-lipped about information surrounding the Golden Jaguars ever since announcing that the team, who were inactive since their exit from the Caribbean Cup last year, will be facing the French Island of Martinique.
As an overseas department of the French Republic, Martinique is not a member of FIFA and is therefore not eligible to enter the FIFA World Cup or any competition organised first-hand by the organisation. Martinique is, however, a member of CONCACAF and CFU and is eligible for all competitions organised by both organisations.
While Guyana, despite being a powerhouse in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), have never qualified for the Gold Cup (male version), Martinique are preparing to make their fifth appearance at the CONCACAF showpiece this year.
Martinique will be placed in Group B of the 2017 Gold Cup alongside five-time champions USA, Panama, and Haiti/Nicaragua.
The French territory will play their first game against Haiti or Nicaragua (pending play-off game between the two countries) on July 8, the USA on July 12 and Panama on July 15.
Dover was named national coach for the Golden Jaguars in 2009 – 2010 after serving as an assistant to Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz for four years (2005 – 2009).
When Shabazz returned for another stint in 2011, Dover was once again his right-hand man (assistant coach), but the ‘Trini’ fell out of favour with the-then GFF.
Ahead of the CFU Caribbean Cup (Gold Cup qualification), Shabazz was hired by the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee and so too was Dover as his assistant.
Dover is one of the most decorated coaches in Guyana, with an illustrious record as head coach of Alpha United Football Club – one of the country’s most storied and accomplished teams.