…Forde lauds team’s performance; praises coach Marco Bonofiglio
By Rawle Toney
(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is putting its money where its ambition is, investing more than GYD $100 million in the Golden Jaguars’ push for a second Concacaf Gold Cup appearance, and promotion to League A of the Concacaf Nations League.
Guyana has enjoyed a perfect start to its Concacaf Nations League campaign, closing the first window of matches at the top of Group A in League B with a maximum 12 points from four matches.
GFF President, Wayne Forde
The Golden Jaguars opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Puerto Rico before defeating the Cayman Islands 2-0. They then produced back-to-back emphatic victories over Dominica, winning 5-1 before completing an 8-1 demolition to maintain their perfect record.
The four victories have seen Guyana score 16 goals, the most in League B, while conceding just two.
For GFF President Wayne Forde, however, the performances on the pitch must be matched by the investment required to give the national team every opportunity to achieve its objectives.
In a heartfelt congratulatory message to the Golden Jaguars’ players and staff on Facebook, Forde revealed the significant financial commitment being made by the federation.
“To date, the GFF has invested more than GYD 70 million in preparing and supporting the Golden Jaguars through these four matches, with a further GYD 35 million projected for the November window,” Forde revealed.
Coach Marco Bonofiglio celebrating with Curtez Kellman and Omari Glasgow after one of the Golden Jaguars’ goal in their 8 – 1 over Dominica.
That would take the federation’s projected investment in Guyana’s League B campaign to approximately GYD $105 million, underscoring the importance being placed on returning the Golden Jaguars to League A and securing qualification for the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Forde acknowledged the considerable demands associated with international football, stressing that success requires much more than what is visible during the 90 minutes on match day.
“International football is demanding, both on and off the field. Behind every match is an enormous amount of planning, sacrifice, coordination and financial commitment,” The GFF president stated.
Guyana famously qualified for the Gold Cup for the first time in 2019, marking a historic achievement for the country’s football fraternity.
Forde reflected on that accomplishment as one of the defining moments of his tenure and made it clear that the GFF is determined to create the conditions for the Golden Jaguars to repeat that feat.
“We are determined to give our Golden Jaguars every possible opportunity to experience that feeling again and to secure Guyana’s second appearance at the Confederation’s premier men’s national team tournament. That ambition requires commitment, and it requires investment,” Forde said.
While the Golden Jaguars’ attacking numbers have commanded attention, with 16 goals scored and only two conceded, Forde believes the most encouraging signs extend beyond the results.
He singled out head coach Marco Bonofiglio for his leadership, while praising the growing cohesion within the squad and technical staff.
According to Fode, “what we are seeing is not only reflected in the results on the pitch, but in the chemistry, discipline, confidence and body language of our players and staff. There is a sense of togetherness and belief within this group that is deeply encouraging.”
Forde said Bonofiglio’s mandate was always bigger than simply competing in the Nations League, adding, “When I tasked Coach Marco with leading the professionalisation of our Senior Men’s National Team programme, I made it clear that the objective was not simply to participate, but to deliver results for the nation while building a programme capable of sustaining success.”
He added that, “one of the principal performance objectives placed before him (Coach Bonofiglio) was qualification for the Concacaf Gold Cup. While we still have two crucial matches to play, I believe it is fair to say that Marco and this team have made believers of us all.”
The Golden Jaguars will return home in November to face the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.
With 12 points already secured, Guyana needs only one victory from those two matches to seal qualification for the 2027 Gold Cup and move closer to a return to League A.
Source: Kaieteur News
