KINGSTON, Jamaica — Shamar ‘Bowsah’ Nicholson has returned to the starting line-up as Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz host leaders Curacao in the winner take all final game of the Concacaf World Cup final round Group B qualifying second leg game at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Nicholson who was left out of the 1-1 draw against Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, is one of three changes to the starting team with wingbacks Dexter Lembikisa and Ian Fray also coming into the team.

Rumarn Burrell, Mason Holgate and Jonathan Russell are the players to make way.

Winger Renaldo Cephas who gave Jamaica the lead against Trinidad and Tobago last weekend, retains his place in the team while central defender Richard King who had to be substituted in the first half, is fit enough to start alongside Ethan Pinnock and Greg Leigh.

Curacao who leads the group with 11 points, need only a draw to automatically qualify for the World Cup where they would be the smallest nation ever to do so. Jamaica must win if they are to return for the first time since 1998.

The second placed team will get a second chance to qualify for the World Cup to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico via a play-off in March 2026.

Meanwhile, Curacao who beat Jamaica 2-0 in their first round meeting, will be seeking their first ever win in Jamaica and will be playing under that name here for the first time.

They participated in the Caribbean Cup in 1998 as the Netherland Antilles, before that was dissolved a few years later.
Prior to their meeting in October, Jamaica last beat Curacao at the Gold Cup in 2017 by a 2-0 margin.

Starting XI:

Andre Blake, Dexter Lembikisa, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Ian Fray, Bobby Reid, Isaac Hayden, Renaldo Cephas, Gregory Leigh, Shamar Nicholson, Demarai Gray.

-Paul A Reid