Shabazz: Jemmott's almost immaculate.
By: Ian Prescott (Express).
Jamaal Shabazz, coach of the Guyanese national football team rates the performance of Kerwyn Jemmott during Trinidad and Tobago's 1-1 draw with Barbados in the opening game of the Digicel Caribbean Cup as "almost immaculate".
Shabazz and his Guyanese players were among the big crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for the opening match. Shabazz, coach of Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA, has always been a fan of Jemmott and is one of the coaches that has given the talented but quirky midfielder one of the many chances, which many felt he did not deserve.
Coaches of national and club teams have reported over the years about the sudden absence of Jemmott, who would suddenly stopped training, only to surface in minor league play.
Shabazz, said he was pleasantly pleased, but not surprised by what Jemmott has produced since his return to the T&T national team.
Shabazz is one of those who believes Jemmott could have been in T&T's World Cup team had he the foresight to see a future beyond playing minor league football. Shabazz hopes he takes this possibly last chance with maximum seriousness.
"I hope Jemmott grabs this opportunity with both hands and do not make it slip, " Shabazz said. "His performance was almost immaculate. I was very impressed by what he did out there."
Others too have took note. Before the tournament began, Everald "Gally" Cummings, an outstanding former national midfielder and coach also spoke highly of Jemmott's ability.
"Kerwyn Jemmott is an exceptional player and he would do well for the national team. His problem has always been in his head. Not that he is a rude boy, it's just that he has something inside him that need working out," Cummings said.
Cummings' assessment looks prophetic, when with one touch, Jemmott split open the Bajan defence, freeing Scott Sealy. Had Sealy, the USA-based striker retained the touch he had during the World Cup qualifying campaign, it would have led to the opening goal in the 11th minute.
Jemmott later had a Bajan defender shifting every-which-way with just a shimmy of the foot in the second half of the match. Not just defence-splitting, Jemmott's passes were well-weighed and precise as well. His one flaw on the day was his inability to stay the whole course. Shabazz also noted this as well.
"One thing that needs improving is his fitness level. He needs to pay attention to his fitness if he is to make the kind of impact he is capable of at this level," Shabazz said.
While, he concentrates on his own team, Shabazz, like many in T&T, is silently hoping that Jemmott goes all the way this time, not just for the country, but for Kerwyn Jemmott as well.
