“It's simply phenomenal, and it shows you what hard work can do.” The words of president of the Caribbean Football Union, Austin Jack Warner in an interview with Kaieteur Sport before the final draw for the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football competition at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday.

Warner said that if any country has been the fine of the tournament, Guyana is. The CFU boss was very impressed with the consistent performance of the Golden Jaguars who are presently on a 15 game unbeaten streak which started in February of 2005 with a 3-3 draw with host Barbados at their National stadium.

Since that result where the Guyanese came from behind on every occasion, they have recorded wins over Dominica, Antigua and St. Lucia in international friendlies and have since racked up a 6-0 record in the Digicel cup defeating Suriname, Netherlands Antilles, Grenada, Antigua, Guadeloupe and the Dominican Republic.

Warner stated that the performance of the team is not by accident since they have performed well at every level and set the whole world and the region ablaze.

“I told CONCACAF last week in Los Angeles that they better book a place for Guyana as one of the countries in the Gold Cup, it will be a first for Guyana but of course that is what football is all about, development.”

The FIFA vice president mentioned that football development is a slow but sure process and not a quick fix and what Guyana has shown by diligence, effort and consistent progress, they have now attained the kind of success they should have attained.

Former West Indies fast bowler Colin Croft said that it has surprised everyone that Guyana has done so well. However, Technical Director Jamal Shabazz had mention that Guyana has got some good talent and some of the players play professionally for clubs in Trinidad and Tobago, which has helped in their overall development.

“It's wonderful to see Guyana progress, T&T just went to the World Cup in Germany and I rather suspect that this could be the start for Guyana.” Croft stated that for the process to continue money is needed using the Twin Island Republic's experience as an example where the Government and business community were very supportive of their team's success.