… Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad to clash at COURTS Caribbean Classic

ROMANIA-based forward, Terell Ondaan, along with former Crystal Palace midfield maestro, Neil Danns, are among six overseas-based players named by Golden Jaguars head coach, Jamaal Shabazz, in his squad for the COURTS Caribbean Classic in Trinidad and Tobago, which kicks off this weekend.

The COURTS Caribbean Classic will see Guyana take on Barbados on Sunday, March 27, and hosts Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, March 29 in a Tri-Nation international friendly tournament.

The competition is designed to prepare the regional rivals for their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League B fixtures in June.

“Our goal in these matches is to integrate the local core from the Suriname trip with some of the overseas-based,” said head coach Shabazz. “We want to test the patterns of play we’ve been working on and rekindle our rivalry with Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago.”

“The local-based players and staff have shown tremendous commitment, rising above a few challenges,” Shabazz added. “And the guys who have committed from overseas have my admiration.”

Danns has enjoyed a successful season in England with North West Counties League Premier Division0 champions Macclesfield, while Ondaan has been plying his trade in the top flight of Romanian football.

The squad will also feature Berbician Kevin Layne and Akel Clarke, from professional Jamaican side Mount Pleasant Football Academy, along with Bournemouth AFC’s Nathan Moriah-Welsh.

Guyana participated in a friendly, three-team tournament with Suriname and Barbados in January, but the competition was cut short by the discovery of COVID-19 cases. As such, the COURTS Caribbean Classic will be a crucial stepping stone towards the CONCACAF Nations League this year.

The Golden Jaguars coach urged the Guyanese community at home and abroad, including the public and private sectors, to rally behind the squad to drive improved performances.

Meanwhile, GFF president Wayne Forde said the competition underlined the federation’s sustained commitment to investing in the Golden Jaguars as it seeks to chart a course to Guyana’s first appearance at a FIFA World Cup this decade.

According to Forde, the GFF is looking forward “to seeing progress from the squad during this exciting new tournament. We know the Guyana-based players and staff have been working hard in training and these matches will provide an opportunity for the whole squad to gel and build together for the challenge of the CONCACAF Nations League in June.”