‘Good test for Girlz’

REGGAE Girlz head coach Hubert Busby says South Africa will present a good test for the Jamaican team when they meet at the Montego Bay Sports Complex tonight in the first of two friendly international in the western city.

The highly anticipated match is set to kick off at 8:00.

“South Africa are formidable opponents and they are going to present a really good test for us,” Busby said after a training session yesterday. “We are really excited to come in front of our home fans and put on a really good performance for them tonight. South Africa were at one time the leading African country in terms of women’s football and it is great to see all the other (African) countries made the investment and raised their level as well.”

Busby said they have had some setbacks with injuries and illness.

“Obviously we have suffered some sickness with players flying from long distances. It probably caught up to some players, but we are monitoring them and seeing how they are doing,” the Reggae Girlz coach said.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams since they faced each other in April 2019, in Durban, South Africa, That game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The nation’s all-time leading goal scorer, Khadija Shaw, who last played in Jamaica in September last year, during the first leg of the Concacaf Olympic Play-In fixture against Canada at the National Stadium, said it feels good to be back with the group.

“Training has been going well and we are raring to go,” Shaw said. “It has been a while since we have played in Jamaica. We are back here now and excited to be here. We have always had really good support especially in Montego Bay and we are definitely looking forward to that. We just want to thank everyone for the support they have given us throughout the entire journey so far and we look forward to seeing each and every one at the games on Friday and Monday,” she added.

With Shaw’s return to the team, Busby is confident that the Girlz will get the better of South Africa.

“We expect to win these two games. We want to have a better performance than we had last time (in France),” Busby stated.

In an article published on www.safa.net, Banyana Banyana (South Africa)’s head coach Dr Desiree Ellis will be looking to try out new combinations, while also seeking to maintain a solid defence. Dr Ellis said that they were looking forward to a high paced match against a side that has also held its own against very strong opponents in their region.

“The Jamaicans will give us a good run for our money. We will be looking to ensure that we build on keeping the ball, creating and converting chances, but also maintaining our defensive structure,” said Dr Ellis. “We have brought many young players to Jamaica who have raised their hands up in the league, and this is a great opportunity for them to fight for spots in the national team.”

In their international friendly games this year, the Reggae Girlz suffered losses to both Brazil and France. In June they lost 4-0 against Brazil at Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, Brazil and last month they were blanked 3-0 by France at the Stade Auguste-Bonal.

South Africa’s last outing saw them falling 4-3 to Zambia on penalties in the final of the Council of Southern African Football Associations Women’s Championship earlier this month.