AN extended Guyana-based national squad will this weekend commence the Guyana Football Federation’s two-month preparations for the final CONCACAF Gold Cup and Nations League home qualifier against Belize on Saturday, March 23.
The squad of 35 players was chosen following a GFF talent identification (ID) process and selection meeting, involving GFF technical officials and top local coaches.
Guyana’s male team is in a strong position to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time in its history, with the top regional competition fixed for June and July this year.
The Golden Jaguars are 8th in the qualification table going into the final round of matches, with the top ten teams joining Mexico, USA, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama and Honduras at the Gold Cup.
“We are excited by the large, diverse pool of local talent that we have identified with the help of some top local coaches and GFF technical experts,” said GFF technical director Ian Greenwood. “Each of these players now has the golden opportunity to work hard and prove his worth over the next two months as head coach Michael Johnson assesses local and overseas talent for the final squad.”
The GFF Talent ID Panel consisted of: Charles Pollard, National U-20 head coach Wayne Dover, GFF coach mentor and Fruta Conquerors head coach Sampson Gilbert, Den Amstel head coach Oneal Heywood, GFF TDO Eon DeViera, Western Tigers head coach Calvin Allen, GFF YDO and Milerock head coach Bryan Joseph, GFF Coach Education Director Wilson Toledo, GFF Head of Recruitment Faizal Khan, and GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood.
The local squad will be put through their paces in a series of fitness tests tomorrow and Sunday at the GFF National Technical Centre at Providence. The squad will then train three times a week to compete for places in the final squad for the Belize clash.
Goalkeepers: Jermaine Cumberbatch (Den Amstel FC), Sese Norville (Milerock FC), Akel Clarke (Fruta Conquerors) and Ryan Hunte (Den Amstel FC).
Defenders: Trevon Lythcott (Western Tigers), Sherwin Skeete (Victoria Kings), Rondel Hutson (Den Amstel FC), Kevin Dundas (Den Amstel FC), Kevin Layne (NA United FC), Quincy Adams (Fruta Conquerors FC), Colin Nelson (Western Tigers), King Solomon Austin (Fruta Conquerors FC), William Europe (Ann’s Grove FC) and Deshawn Joseph (Netrockers).
Midfielders: Delwin Fraser (GDF FC), Eusi Phillips (GDF FC), Daniel Wilson (Western Tigers), Kester Jacobs (Den Amstel), Anthony Benfield (Fruta Conquerors), Vurlon Mills (Fruta Conquerors), Andre Hector (Den Amstel), Ryan Hackett (Fruta Conquerors) and Leo-orin Lovell (Den Amstel).
Forwards: Jamal Haynes (Botofago FC), Jamal Perreira (Den Amstel FC), Pernel Schultz (Western Tigers), Jamal Harvey (Den Amstel FC), Trayon Bobb (Uitvlugt FC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors), Kelsey Benjamin (Western Tigers), Gregory Richardson (Fruta Conquerors), Dellon Lanferman (Den Amstel FC), Delroy Fraser (GDF FC) and Domini Garnett (Fruta Conquerors).
