标签： Jamaica

Jamaica’s national football team, the Reggae Boyz, faced a crushing blow as they failed to secure an automatic spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw against Curacao. The match, held at the National Stadium last Tuesday, left fans and sports legends alike disheartened. Sprint icon Usain Bolt, who had delivered a motivational speech to the team before the game, expressed his disappointment, questioning the players’ dedication and effort on the field. Bolt, an eight-time Olympic champion, stated that he was shocked by the team’s performance, emphasizing that it appeared the players did not give their all. His sentiments were echoed by fans who were further angered by images of players Dujuan Richards and Renaldo Cephas attending a social event in Kingston hours after the match. Bolt criticized their actions, calling them a sign of apathy toward the nation’s struggles, especially in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s recent devastation. Despite the setback, the Reggae Boyz still have a chance to qualify through the inter-confederation play-offs in March, where they will face New Caledonia. However, Bolt remains pessimistic about their prospects, stating that he cannot endure another heartbreak. The team’s lackluster performance has sparked a broader conversation about commitment and national pride in Jamaican sports.

In a thrilling Champions League showdown on Tuesday, Chelsea delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City faced their first defeat of the campaign under Pep Guardiola’s experimental lineup against Bayer Leverkusen. The match between the Premier League and La Liga contenders saw Chelsea seize control early, with an own goal by Jules Kounde in the 27th minute setting the tone. Barcelona’s hopes dwindled further when captain Ronald Araujo was sent off just before halftime for a second bookable offense. Chelsea’s 18-year-old sensation Estevao stole the spotlight with a stunning solo effort in the 55th minute, followed by Liam Delap’s decisive strike in the 73rd minute. The win propelled Chelsea to fifth in the league phase standings with 10 points. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s decision to rest key players like Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias backfired as they fell 2-0 to Leverkusen, marking their first loss of the season. Guardiola admitted full responsibility for the defeat, acknowledging the challenges of managing a packed schedule. Elsewhere, Marseille staged a comeback to defeat Newcastle 2-1, Juventus edged Bodo/Glimt 3-2, and Borussia Dortmund thrashed Villarreal 4-0 despite missing two penalties.

As the Jamaica senior women’s football team, the Reggae Girlz, prepare for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers, Head Coach Hubert Busby has expressed confidence in the smooth reintegration of star striker and captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. The team’s playing philosophy, which has been shaped around Shaw’s strengths, ensures her return will be seamless. The Reggae Girlz kick off their qualifying campaign on Saturday against Dominica at the Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, followed by matches against Nicaragua, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guyana in March and April 2026. The team is striving for a third consecutive World Cup appearance after successful campaigns in 2019 and 2023. Busby emphasized that the team’s style has been developed with Shaw in mind, making her reintegration straightforward. “A couple of training sessions will be enough to integrate her back. She’s a top-class professional, so we don’t foresee any issues,” Busby stated during a virtual press conference. Shaw, who has been absent due to injury, club commitments, and load management, joins a squad featuring attackers Natasha Thomas, Jody Brown, Ricshya Walker, Shania Hayles, Kalyssa Van Zanten, and Shaneil Buckley. The team’s recent training camp in Trinidad has bolstered their readiness for the upcoming qualifiers. Busby also highlighted the integration of young players, guided by senior team members, as a key factor in their preparation. The group winner of the qualifiers will advance to the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, with the top four teams securing direct entry to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

In a stunning display of consistency and skill, Tigray Express, a six-year-old bay horse, has once again proven his mettle on the racetrack. Trained by Phillip Elliott and ridden by Raddesh Roman, the chestnut colt secured his eighth win in nine starts, a remarkable feat for a claiming horse. This victory, achieved on Saturday, November 22, 2025, also marked his fifth consecutive win, further cementing his reputation as a top contender in the racing world. The race, an Optional Claiming contest with a purse ranging from $500,000 to $400,000, featured native-bred six-year-olds and older horses, as well as native-bred five-year-olds, competing over 6½ furlongs (1,300 meters). Tigray Express, sired by Traditional out of Kiri, broke sharply from the gate, took an early lead, and maintained a strong gallop throughout the race. He surged ahead in the straight, finishing a commanding 9½ lengths ahead of the competition with a time of 1:24.0 (24.2 x 49.1 x 1:16.2). High Diplomacy, ridden by Robert Halledeen, finished second, while Wilson, with Oshadane Robinson in the saddle, came in third. Following the race, it was announced that Tigray Express had been claimed for $500,000 by trainer Dalton Sirjue on behalf of owner Anthony Chin. The horse attracted significant interest, with 32 claims submitted. This latest victory brings Tigray Express’s career record to 14 wins from 54 starts, with total stakes earnings nearing $8 million. His consistent performance under various trainers and riders has made him one of the most coveted horses in the industry. His only loss this season occurred on May 23, when he finished fourth in a $1-million claiming race, trailing Burling Valor by 7 lengths over 7 furlongs. Trainer Phillip Elliott and other connections celebrated with Tigray Express and jockey Raddesh Roman in the winners’ enclosure after the race.