Sherdon Cowan

Sherdon Cowan

Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.

Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby and standout defender Allyson Swaby are confident that the team is ready for the challenge to come against France when the two cross swords in a friendly international at the Stade Auguste-Bonal on Friday.

The contest, which will be a repeat of their 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup clash, is scheduled for 2:10pm Jamaica time.

Whether the 42nd-ranked Girlz will be able to hold their number 10-ranked hosts to another goalless stalemate like they did at last year’s global showpiece is left to be seen.

Still, regardless of the outcome, Busby pointed out that the encounter represents not only a test against a top European side but also a significant opportunity for his team to continue its growth on the global stage, as well as for the newcomers—Taylor Hinds, Lulu Jarvis, Reanna Blades, and Natasha Thomas—in particular to fit in and show that they belong.

“This game is about testing ourselves against the best. Obviously, France is a powerhouse in women’s football, and for us, playing against a team of this calibre will help us assess where we are in terms of our playing model. I think it's important for us to also continue to build on our playing principles so that we can ensure that we're flexible in and out of possession,” he told SportsMax.Tv.

“But I am feeling good about how things are looking so far. The players have responded really well. We had some intense sessions with a lot of information in a short period of time, but they responded well. This is a good group that takes on information and looks to apply, so we look forward to a good game tomorrow (Friday),” Busby added.

Busby emphasized the importance of these international fixtures in building momentum for future competitions, especially as the Reggae Girlz set their sights on qualifying for a third consecutive World Cup in 2027.  

Following this French encounter, the Girlz will lock horns with now number 50-ranked South Africa on November 29 and December 2 in Jamaica.

“Yes, results are always the main thing at senior international play, but the longer-term picture is for us to be successful come next year when we're in our first round of qualifying for the World Cup. I think that's really the main goal is for us to be peaking at that sort of time, heading into those qualifiers,” Busby declared.

“So, the experience we gain from playing these high-profile matches is invaluable. Our goal is to continue improving and competing at the highest level, and these games help us grow and understand what we need to do to close the gap on those ahead of us in particular,” he noted.

Allyson Swaby, one of the team’s most experienced players, echoed her coach’s sentiments.

The central defender, who plies her trade in Italy with AC Milan, believes the Reggae Girlz are more than up for the task.

“I think the team looks good; everyone is happy to be back together first and foremost, and its always exciting when we’re going to play strong opposition. So, I think everyone is just looking forward to a good test and just getting back into the swing of things together,” Swaby shared.

Swaby also noted that the team has grown in confidence over the past few years, especially after their successful World Cup campaign last year, where they contested the knockout round for the first time in the programme’s history.

“It is always good to play against teams like this. I think the group is excited to play France, especially when a lot of us are in mid-season. So, having that confidence of the routine of training day in and day out coming here, I feel like once you’re in your best form, it gives you that psychological edge to compete against teams like this,” she said.

Despite the absence of talismanic striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw due to issues with her passport, Swaby highlighted the depth of the squad, which is a blend of experienced players and new recruits who are eager to make their mark on the international scene.

“It is really important to see that the pool continues to grow; it brings competition to everyone that’s already here, and it expands the reach of the team globally to continue to take players from all across the world to represent Jamaica. So it helps tremendously to get new faces in and keep everybody sharp and competing at all times,” she ended.

 

West Indies suffered a series-defining loss in the second One-day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka, as they again went down by five wickets in Pallekele on Wednesday.

The defeat, which resulted from another disappointing batting performance, saw Sri Lanka taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving the Caribbean side with mere hopes of salvaging pride in the final game on Saturday.

After a dismal batting collapse that saw the West Indies at a shocking 58-8 in the rain-affected contest, which was reduced to 44 overs per team, it was an historic ninth-wicket partnership between Sherfane Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50 not out) that added a glimmer of respectability to their total.

The pair put together 119 runs, the highest-ever ninth-wicket stand in West Indies' ODI history, with Rutherford smashing four sixes and seven fours in his 82-ball knock, while Motie’s maiden ODI half-century came off 61 balls and included six boundaries, as they lifted the side to 189.

However, the damage had already been done by Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack led by spinners Wanindu Hasaranga (4-40) and Maheesh Theekshana (3-25). Seamer Asitha Fernando had 3-35. Their batting unit led by an unbeaten 62 from captain Charith Asalanka then surpassed their target with some degree of comfort.

Scores: West Indies 189 (36 overs); Sri Lanka 190-5 (38.2 overs)