Regardless of the absence of captain and star striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, Head Coach Hubert Busby is eyeing the upcoming worldwide pleasant matches in opposition to Peru as pivotal moments to refine the Reggae Girlz’s technique and generate momentum forward of the 2027 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup qualification event.
The 2 matches are set for February 23 and 26 on the Estadio Miguel Grau in Piura, Lima, Peru.
Busby says Shaw’s absence from the Reggae Girlz squad is because of a minutes-restriction set by Manchester Metropolis. The choice goals to make sure Shaw returns to worldwide responsibility at peak situation, whereas respecting her membership’s health administration.
Following Manchester Metropolis’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal on February 2, Shaw was subjected to racist and misogynistic abuse on-line. In response, she took a stand and withdrew from the staff’s League Cup semi-final match in opposition to the identical opponent on February 6. Nonetheless, she subsequently made a powerful return to the pitch, scoring twice in Metropolis’s 4-0 win over Liverpool.
“An important factor about Bunny’s well being is that Sunday was her first begin in 2025, as I’m positive everybody has seen,” Busby mentioned. “She had been out for some time and had restricted minutes, and she or he’s nonetheless on restrictions. Because of this, Manchester Metropolis is monitoring her progress by way of her return, and we’ve clearly revered that.
“It was nice to see her getting in at first and her getting two objectives however I believe it’s exterior of that, clearly she wanted a while; she took the time and she or he made that call to come back again sooner or later and she or he was again in flying colors the final couple of video games.
“However actually, I believe it’s by way of load administration. We’ve had a number of gamers in related conditions that we known as in as properly the place their golf equipment have shared a few of their guides with us, and we’re in shut contact with our medical folks as properly. So, choices by way of bringing in gamers in are additionally made with that in thoughts and that is without doubt one of the the reason why she shouldn’t be within the squad.”
Busby says he hopes Shaw will probably be again to full health quickly and appears ahead to having her within the squad for the subsequent window.
He says the first goal for the upcoming video games is to proceed implementing the staff’s analysis course of and embed their enjoying ideas.
“The purpose is to proceed with implementing our analysis course of. It’s actually about implementing our enjoying module by way of what we want to do with our philosophy, all of the enjoying ideas we need to embed on this staff,” Busby mentioned.
Whereas profitable is all the time essential, Busby says the staff’s focus is on bettering their performances and guaranteeing that each participant understands their roles and tasks.
“Profitable matches is all the time essential, however exterior of that, what is absolutely essential is for us to have the ability to enhance our performances and implement the issues that we’ve got got down to do, every camp,” he mentioned.
“We undoubtedly have improved on these ideas. Are we there the place we need to be? Completely not. We’re nonetheless removed from the usual that we would like, however we’re making progress, and I believe that’s crucial factor.”
The Reggae Girlz will face a stiff problem from Peru, a staff they final met within the 2019 Pan American Video games, the place Jamaica secured a 1-0 victory.
The 23-player squad for the upcoming options a mixture of native and overseas-based expertise. These abroad gamers included Jazmin Ferguson and Nyema Ingleton.
Ferguson, a defender at Louisiana State College, was just lately recognised by the United Soccer Coaches as one of many “Defenders to Watch”. Ingleton, from Burnaby Central Excessive Faculty in British Columbia, is making a reputation for herself in Canadian soccer. Each Ferguson and Ingleton are poised to make their senior Reggae Girlz debut.
These upcoming friendlies, Busby says, may even function a possibility for him to combine some gamers again into the group, significantly those that have been away as a result of colleges and different commitments.
“We’re excited to have these gamers and see how they make the step up once more,” he mentioned.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers – Rebecca Spencer, Aliyah Morgan, Liya Brooks
Defenders – Allyson Swaby, Chantelle Swaby, Naya Carodoza, Siobhan Wilson, Jazmin Ferguson, Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Nyema Ingleton
Midfielders – Atlanta Primus, Njeri Butts, Amelia Van Zanten, Drew Spence, Jade bailey, Olufolasade Adamolekun
Forwards – Tiffany Cameron, Kalya McKenna, Shaneil Buckley, Jody Brown, Reanna Blades, Ricshya Walker
