President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts admitted he was disappointed with the Reggae Boyz 2-2 draw with Haiti in their Concacaf Nations League match on Tuesday, but pleaded with the Jamaican people to be patient as the coaching staff looks to build a strong unit ahead of the start of next year’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Jamaica had to fight back from 0-2 down against Haiti after 15 minutes, but rallied in the second half to end 2-2 draw inside the National Stadium.

Don Louicius scored Haiti’s goals in the 12th and 15th minutes, then Haiti’s Ricardo Adé put Jamaica on the scoresheet with an own goal in the 51st, while Bobby Decordova-Reid equalised from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.

Ricketts said that the result was not what they were hoping for, but urged everyone to continue to support the Boyz because these matches are very crucial in their build-up to the 2026 qualifiers for the World Cup to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“I think we were a little unlucky this evening [Tuesday] conceding two early goals and then we really had to work hard, but thank God we got a point out of the game so we are at the top of the table right now as we speak,” Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer.

“I am a little disappointed, but the truth is that after being two goals down and to come away with a point, I think it is a pretty decent result,” he said.

“We want to encourage Jamaica to come out and give us some support because we always think it is important to have support from the stands and it was evident this evening because it is that 12th man that earned us that point.

“The preparation has just really started and the team would not have played together for a little while so this is certainly part of the whole preparation process and we are just very excited as to what will happen down the road,” the JFF boss said.

The Reggae Boyz are now at the top of Group B in League A of the Nations League with four points after they defeated Honduras 1-0 at home in their opening match last Friday.

Ricketts underscored the importance of the Nations League matches.

“This Nations League will qualify us for Copa America, and so we want to do well in it and once we get to the Copa America, then we will have enough games that we can properly prepare, which is really the picture and that is World Cup in 2026,” Ricketts said.

“We want to use football to be that agent for social intervention and I really want to use this opportunity to thank those who came out and to all our sponsors and I just hope that this will provide that sort of catalyst that will take us to the World Cup in 2026,” he added.