(GFF Release) – WITH the restart of the Guyana Football Federation’s senior League – the GFF Elite League – set for today at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, the first double-header promises to be exciting.

Playing in the first match will be GDF FC vs Den Amstel FC at 17:30hrs and Western Tigers FC will go against Fruta Conquerors FC at 19:30hrs.
Director of Competitions, Ian Alves, said this phase of the League will see a more competitive brand of football, “Now that the mid-season transfer has concluded, clubs would have been able to make the necessary adjustments to their squads with a view to improving their performance for the remainder of the Elite League.

Based on some of the player-transfers seen during the window, fans can look forward eagerly to more competitive matches and a more attractive brand of football for the remaining part of the League.”
Meanwhile, in a pregame interview, the coaches of the teams scheduled to play in today’s opener are ready for the restart. Below are the comments received from the respective coaches.

SEON PRINCE – Assistant Coach, GDF FC: “We were preparing for this year, the continuation of the Elite League even though we had a pause for the year-end tournament at which we came out victorious.

“We were victorious at the last League as well, we were the champions so we’re going out there to show that GDF are the number one team; we are going to take this one again, we are not taking anybody for granted. We are taking every game one step at a time and we’re taking it as an important game, like a final.

“We have two African players that we have brought in together with others who have come during the transfer window. I won’t be saying much on those two players. What I would like is for the fans to come out and they will see what we have to offer.

“They’re working with the team, meshing well; we’re getting the togetherness and the communication. The team is comfortable and we are just waiting on Sunday to go out there and pull off a victory to start the tournament.”

ONIEL HEYWOOD – Head Coach, Den Amstel FC “Our team preparation is going ok. On Wednesday we completed our final warm-up game against Uitvlugt FC, which we won 2-1 and I think we are ready for the army on Sunday. I know it will be a very competitive game because we are a good team. We bought some good players during the transfer. I know it will be a very competitive game because we have players like Marvin Frank and Chris Macey, two central midfielders.

“We also have a young goalkeeper Jermaine Cumberbatch who is a real boost to the team. We have national players like Kester Jacobs and Dellon Lanferman whom the team will be depending on heavily to score goals.

CALVIN ALLEN – Head Coach, Western Tigers FC “Preparations are going good so far. It was a bit of a challenge to have consistent attendance at training due to work commitments of some of the players but we worked around that.

“We did a lot of strength work and a lot of physical building because we want to have strong players who would last the duration of the tournament. We’re now getting into the technical and tactical aspects of the game. We’re one of the younger teams in the tournament in terms of the experience at the Elite League.

“I have players with me who would have played the Elite League before; I also previously coached an Elite League in the first season. I along with a few senior players will try and help the other players settle into the environment and hopefully, we can get the best out of them.

“Once we stick to our plans and we do the basics right, I think we will be okay. Fruta Conquerors by no stretch of the imagination are an easy team; they are number two in the country so it’s like number 10 playing number 2 this Sunday. However, I know the squad we have and the depth in the team so I’m expecting some good results from Sunday going forward.”

SAMPSON GILBERT – Head Coach, Fruta Conquerors FC: “Fruta Conquerors’ focus for the restart of the League is on physical preparation. It is obvious that we have players who are technically adequate. Our tactical awareness will be employed as long as our fitness level permits the various aspects to fall into place. We have some new players that are now available to us and they will be integrated into our programme and used strategically.”

On Wednesday, the GFF met with the representatives of the Elite clubs where they were briefed by Wayne Forde, GFF President, on the plans for the restart of the League. During that meeting, the prize money for the GFF Super-16 Year-end Classic was presented to the first- to fourth- place winners.