Shabazz was involved in the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt under the group's leader Yasin Abu Bakr in his home country, with the belief that the army would support the uprising.

[3] As a result of his involvement in the coup attempt, Shabazz has had conditions placed on his ability to travel to the United States as required for his duties as an international football manager.

[4] In 2012, he was unable to attend Guyana's World Cup qualifier against Mexico at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas for "personal reasons" and planned to relay instructions to his assistant Wayne Dover via Skype.

[17] In 2012 Shabazz had a spell as co-coach of his country's men's team with Hudson Charles,[7] who had previously been on the opposing side as part of the military force responding to the 1990 coup attempt.

[2] At the time of their joint appointment, Shabazz remained a member of the religious organization Jamaat while Charles continued in his career as a warrant officer with the country's Defence Force.