Jamaican football enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer to witness Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw back in action for the Reggae Girlz. The 28-year-old Manchester City striker, who has been grappling with injuries in recent seasons, will not participate in the upcoming friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago on October 28. This decision comes as the team gears up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers next month. Shaw last represented Jamaica in late 2024 against South Africa.
Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby explained that the decision to delay Shaw’s return was a collaborative effort between the Jamaica Football Federation and her English club, Manchester City. The primary focus is on ensuring the striker’s well-being, especially with more critical national team fixtures on the horizon. Busby emphasized the potential risks associated with substandard pitches and the friendly nature of the upcoming match, making it prudent to prioritize Shaw’s health.
‘She is in great form, but they [Manchester City] have some concerns, and we want to make sure we are monitoring things going into these matches,’ Busby stated during a press conference. ‘The collaboration and discussion led us to compromise and wait until the next round of World Cup qualification to bring her in.’
Shaw has been in impressive form for Manchester City this season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in six Women’s Super League matches. However, Busby noted that she is not yet at her peak performance level. ‘It is great to see her in fine form, but she is not quite there yet,’ he said. ‘It’s fantastic for us and problematic for the rest of the Women’s Super League.’
In addition to Shaw, key players Drew Spence and Trudi Carter will also miss the match due to injuries. Despite these absences, Busby remains confident in the team’s ability to perform well against Trinidad and Tobago. He highlighted the strong core of experienced players and the opportunity to integrate new talent, such as Tianna Harris and Gabrielle Gayle, who have been excelling in Europe and Mexico, respectively.
Busby also mentioned the inclusion of Jaileah McPherson, the captain of the Under-20 team, who has been performing well in college. ‘We feel compelled to support her with the national team, and her schedule allowed her to join us for these games,’ he explained.
The Reggae Girlz, who have qualified for the past two World Cup tournaments in 2019 and 2023, are now setting their sights on the 2027 edition. Busby expressed excitement about the upcoming match, emphasizing the historic rivalry with Trinidad and Tobago. ‘They are our biggest Caribbean rivals, and we look forward to the game as a big test prior to our qualifying matches,’ he said.
The squad for the match includes goalkeepers Rebecca Spencer and Sydney Scheidner, defenders Allyson Sawby, Tianna Harris, Konya Plummer, Chantelle Swaby, Tiffany Cameron, and Gabrielle Gayle, midfielders Jaileah McPherson, Deniesha Blackwood, Izzy Groves, Atlanta Primus, and Vyan Sampson, and forwards Kayla McKenna, Natasha Thomas, Shania Hayles, Jody Brown, Njeri Butts, and Kiki Van Zanten.