With Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz gearing up for two major clashes against global football powerhouses, United States and England, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung has issued a rallying cry for the team to rise to the occasion in the absence of their inspirational captain, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.

Shaw, who is currently sidelined due to injury, is usually the cornerstone of the Reggae Girlz’ attack. The Manchester City forward is both her club’s all-time top scorer and Jamaica’s leading goal-getter in international football.

Her absence ahead of the high-profile friendly international matches against the United States on June 3 in St Louis, Missouri, and England on June 29 at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, is undoubtedly a massive blow. But Chung says that this is a massive opportunity for other players in the squad to step up and prove their worth.

“We have to ensure that people step up. This is an opportunity for persons to fill a void that is there. When I talked to the coach, he said that given the qualities he has seen in the team with the younger players coming in, he has no doubt that we can fill that void,” he said.

While acknowledging the irreplaceable talent of Shaw, Chung emphasised the need for continuity and resilience within the squad.

“I mean, how do you totally fill a Bunny Shaw. But the fact of the matter is that we have to. At some point in time in the future, Bunny will stop playing for us, and so we have to have that continuity.”

Chung stressed that the coaching staff is confident there is enough talent waiting in the wings to carry the torch.

He pointed to rising stars like Jody Brown and Shaneil Buckley as players capable of stepping into bigger roles.

“You have seen what happened with Shaniel Buckley, who came straight from high school, got a scholarship, and is doing well. I expect her to be a big star very soon. I have no doubt that these girls will step up.

“We have a good crop of girls coming up, and I have no doubt that they will fill the void and continue the programme and the quality that we have seen from Jamaican female footballers,” he said.

The Jamaicans will be using the both games as part of their preparations for their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in October.

Chung pointed out that both games will be a stern test for the Reggae Girlz’ team.

“These games will certainly test us because we are playing two of the best teams in the world. But the fact that they want to play us says a lot about our female programme. It means they have a lot of respect for us,” he noted.

— Robert Bailey