By Rawle Toney
(Kaieteur News) – Guyana opened its 2026/27 Concacaf Nations League (League B) campaign on a winning note on Thursday, edging Puerto Rico 1-0 at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, as Osaze De Rosario’s 78th-minute penalty handed the Golden Jaguars three valuable points.
The result provided an ideal start to Marco Bonofiglio’s tenure as head coach of Guyana’s national senior men’s team, with the Italian overseeing his first competitive match in charge.
The Golden Jaguars entered the encounter with confidence, having won two of the previous three meetings against Puerto Rico, and with promotion back to League A among the objectives of its Nations League campaign.
Concacaf has confirmed that the 2026/27 League B competition features 16 teams divided into four groups, with Guyana, Puerto Rico, Dominica and the Cayman Islands comprising Group A.
Osaze De Rosario scores to help Guyana edge Puerto Rico.
Bonofiglio handed Slingerz FC’s Rashaun Ritch a starting berth in a four-man defensive unit alongside Terrence Vancooten of Stevenage FC, Jalen Jones (Dover Athletic) and Liam Gordon (Port Vale).
In midfield, former Middlesbrough player Isaiah Jones, now with Luton Town, operated alongside Nathan Ferguson (Hornchurch FC), while the attacking responsibilities were entrusted to Guyana’s all-time leading scorer Omari Glasgow (Chicago Fire/), Nathan Moriah-Welsh (Mansfield Town), Elliot Bonds (Salford City) and De Rosario, who is currently on loan at Sønderjyske from MLS side, Seattle Sounders.
The opening half was closely contested, with Guyana gradually finding its rhythm and forcing the Puerto Rican defence into several uncomfortable moments.
Glasgow and De Rosario were particularly active in the attacking third, probing for an opening as both sides went into the interval without breaking the deadlock.
Bonofiglio made changes after the restart in an effort to add fresh energy to the Golden Jaguars’ attack and maintain their intensity.
Slingerz FC’s Kelsey Benjamin, Deon Moore (Torquay United) and Enoch George (SVV Scheveningen) were introduced, replacing Isaiah Jones, Ritch and Glasgow.
The substitutions helped Guyana maintain its attacking momentum, while the Golden Jaguars’ defensive organisation remained one of the defining features of the performance.
At the other end, goalkeeper Quillan Roberts proved dependable between the posts, helping Guyana preserve a clean sheet as Puerto Rico searched for a breakthrough.
The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Guyana was awarded a penalty.
De Rosario stepped forward and kept his composure from the spot, converting to put the Golden Jaguars 1-0 ahead and racking up his 11th international goal in 12 outings.
The late advantage brought a tense closing spell, but Guyana held firm to secure a crucial victory and begin the new Nations League campaign with maximum points.
The Golden Jaguars now turn their attention to the Cayman Islands, whom they will face on Sunday, September 27, at Windsor Park.
Guyana will then travel to Puerto Rico for the October window, where they’re scheduled to face Dominica on October 1 before completing the window against Dominica on October 4.
Source: Kaieteur News
