JAMAICA’S senior women’s team is gearing up for their final two group matches in the Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, and Head Coach Hubert Busby has expressed his excitement about the squad selected, emphasising the significance of playing on home soil.

The Reggae Girlz lead Group B on a maximum six points from two games, the same as Nicaragua and Guyana. Both Nicaragua and Guyana have played three games. Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are without a point from two games. The winner of each group will advance to the Concacaf Women’s Championship.

Jamaica will take on Antigua and Barbuda and Guyana at the National Stadium on April 10 and 18, respectively.

“It’s great to have the players back. I know they’re excited to come in and play in front of the Jamaican people. We anticipate a great crowd for both games, and we’re looking forward to the two matches in the upcoming weeks,” Busby said during a press conference on Tuesday where the squad was revealed.

Busby addressed the absence of key player Konya Plummer, who is out due to injury.

“We thought she’d be back, but unfortunately, she’s not ready. It was an injury that occurred a couple of weeks ago, but we didn’t think she would be healthy for the entire duration, and so we have brought in some other players. We’ll miss her leadership and presence, but we hope to have her back in the next window,” Busby said.

He also acknowledged the absence of Tiffany Cameron and Naya Cardoza, who have started the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) preseason tournament with their clubs.

Busby mentioned the likes of Solai Washington, Amelia Van Zanten, and Kameron Simmonds. Washington and Van Zanten missed the last match due to precautionary measures.

“We tried to get Solai [Washington] and ‘Mimi’ [Amelia Van Zanten] in the last squad, but unfortunately, they were in the early stages of preseason and carrying one or two knocks that they wanted to take precautions with, and so they missed out.

“But they have started the season really well. They have started most of the games they have been involved in. Solai has started regularly, and Mimi has been a mainstay.

“I think in one of the games on her debut she was Woman of the Match. Kameron Simmonds has come on really well also, and so we are glad to have them back in the squad. They are doing well within their environment, and they are definitely worthy of a call-up,” he explained.

Trudi Carter, who has been playing in Mexico and performing well, is expected to make a strong contribution to the team, Busby said.

“She’s had consistent minutes, whether starting or coming off the bench. She had a great camp in Nicaragua, and we are looking forward to her building on that in this camp. It is all there for her to play for, and she has two weeks ahead to continue to progress,” he said.

The coach also highlighted the versatility of players like Jody Brown, Paige Bailey-Gayle, and Deneisha Blackwood.

“If you look at the squad, the likes of Jody Brown, Paige Bailey-Gayle, and Deneisha Blackwood are very flexible. They can play in multiple positions,” he said.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS – Sydney Schneider, Rebecca Spencer, and Liya Brooks.

DEFENDERS – Tianna Harris, Chantelle Swaby, Vyan Sampson, Kameron Simmonds, Amelia Van Zanten, and Allyson Swaby

MIDFIELDERS – Olufolassade Adamolekun, Atlanta Primus, Drew Spence, Trudi Carter, Deneisha Blackwood

FORWARDS – Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Khadija Shaw, Shania Hayles, Jody Brown, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Solai Washington, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Shaniel Buckley