KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz have been drawn in a group of South American giants in their baptism to the CONMEBOL Copa America, the Holy Grail of South American football.

Jamaica, the first Caribbean team to be invited to the tournament, will go up against two of the continent’s most successful nations in the storied Copa America, which is the oldest continental tournament in football celebrating 98 years of rivalry.

The Jamaicans face Uruguay (15 titles), Argentina (14) and Paraguay (two) in Group B, it was determined at draw at Quinta Vergara in Vina del Mar, Chile, held Monday evening.

In Group A, hosts Chile, guest team Mexico, Ecuador and Bolivia will do battle, while six-time world champions Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela will cross swords in Group C.

JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, who attended the draw, said while the Reggae Boyz are against enormous odds in a group filled with teams of rich tradition and successes on the global stage, he remains upbeat at the prospects.

“I know it’s going to be an extremely great challenge, but as Jamaicans we usually perform at our best when the odds are stacked against us, or when our backs are against the wall,” he told the OBSERVER ONLINE shortly after the glitzy ceremony.

Burrell, who was the visionary behind Jamaica’s only qualification to a senior World Cup back in France 1998, said when he realised that Argentina were drawn with Jamaica, he saw a great opportunity for revenge.

“Argentina defeated us 5-0 in the World Cup, and though they were a great team then and perhaps a greater team now with the likes of (Lionel) Messi within their rank, we intend to as the first Caribbean team to play in the prestigious Copa America to give it the best shot at a payback,” said the veteran football boss.

The Copa America 2015, which will be hosted by eight Chilean cities, runs from June 11 to July 4.

The Boyz with their confirmed participation in Copa America 2015, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa America Centenario 2016 seem to have hit a golden patch with these high-profile championships.

Jamaica are just coming off winning the CFU Caribbean Cup in Montego Bay where they defeated arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Warriors 4-3 on penalties — an achievement  which  is expected to reverse their poor standing of 113th in FIFA.

– Sean Williams