General secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Dennis Chung says he is confident that the Reggae Girlz will deliver a strong performance against host Peru despite the absence of their inspirational leader and captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.

The Reggae Girlz are set to face Peru in two friendly internationals on February 23 and 26. According to Chung, both matches form a crucial part of the team’s preparations for their World Cup qualifier campaign this year.

“These games are very important because they are a part of the preparations for the World Cup qualifiers,” Chung said. “What the coach is doing is putting together a core squad, working with players who went to the [2023] World Cup while also introducing new players. We have to ensure that the team has longevity and endurance, and that process starts now.”

The Reggae Girlz recently secured back-to-back wins over South Africa last November, triumphing 3-0 and 3-2. Chung believes those victories have given the squad valuable momentum heading into the Peru games.

Along with Shaw, the Reggae Girlz will be without Newcastle United’s Shania Hayles, who has been left out of the squad after discussions with the player and her club regarding workload management. Liverpool defender Taylor Hinds has been excluded, while defender Konya Plummer was ruled out after undergoing a minor procedure.

“I think it is a well-rounded squad,” Chung said. “Unfortunately, Bunny can’t be with us, but this is a good test to see how the team performs without her. I am pretty satisfied with the squad and confident they will put on a good performance.”

Chung pointed to the team’s recent successes against South American opponents as a positive sign. “We have been playing against a lot of South American teams recently, and the team has done well. I believe they will perform strongly against Peru,” he said.

He emphasised the JFF’s commitment to providing the national team with the necessary resources, even amid financial limitations.

“We give the teams all the support they need while living within budgetary constraints. We ensure proper planning, provide the necessary staffing and financial resources, and are confident about what we’ve been doing behind the scenes,” Chung explained.

The friendly matches against Peru mark a crucial step in the Reggae Girlz’s road to the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, as the coaching staff looks to build squad depth, test new players, and refine tactics.

— Robert Bailey