THE National Under-17 football team wrapped up their Concacaf U-17 Qualifiers with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the British Virgin Islands in Costa Rica on Sunday evening.
The draw leaves the team unbeaten in the group stage. They boast one win and three draws, a testament to their determination in a challenging group that included Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

Their impressive performances saw them remain undefeated against both powerhouses, marking a historic milestone for U-17 football in Guyana.
Against BVI, Jaden Harris put Guyana ahead in the 53rd minute, but Luca Stuttard’s late equaliser in added time denied them a final victory.
Despite the team’s slim hopes of advancing, the Junior Jaguars’ spirited display highlights their progress.

Meanwhile, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Haiti earned their spot for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has credited the team’s success to its partnership with Spanish club, Racing Madrid. The partnership saw the appointment of head coach, Marco Bonofiglio and a new technical staff.

Reflecting on the team’s journey, Bonofiglio expressed immense pride: “Going undefeated in a tournament of this magnitude and making history for Guyana is no small feat.
They showed heart, resilience, and belief in each other every step of the way. While we fell just short of advancing, this journey has set a new standard for Guyanese football.”

Federation president, Wayne Forde, expressed gratitude to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali for his unwavering support, emphasising, “These young men have put in tremendous effort over the past months and have truly shown us what is possible through hard work and determination.”