Khadija “Bunny” Shaw’s injury is a significant setback for Jamaica’s senior Reggae Girlz as the standout striker will miss the two upcoming international friendly matches against Mexico in the United States. However, Head Coach Hubert Busby is taking a positive approach, viewing this as an opportunity for younger players to step up and showcase their skills.

It’s worth noting that Shaw has been dealing with fitness restrictions, which led to her missing friendly matches against Peru. Currently, Shaw is being plagued by a muscle injury, which also comes at a crucial time, as the team prepares for the World Cup Qualifiers in October. Shaw, who was recently named Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year, is a key player for the Reggae Girlz, and her absence will certainly be felt.

Despite Shaw’s absence, however, the Reggae Girlz have a talented 22-member squad, and this could be a chance for other players to shine. With Busby’s guidance, the team can use this experience to grow and develop, even without their star player.

Jamaica will face Mexico on April 5 at the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, marking the first-ever international friendly at CPKC Stadium, which opened in March 2024. The return match is set for April 8 at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston.

Busby acknowledged the impact of Shaw’s absence. “Every team is better with Bunny Shaw in it. We want Bunny in our team. We are a better team with her in it.”

But he also emphasised the importance of other players stepping up. Busby noted that the team’s playing style is centred on a philosophy, not just one person, which allows for flexibility and opportunities for other players to shine.

“With that said, with her not in the squad, someone else has to step up and they have done so. We have got a lot of different squads with different people, which is what we have been trying to do. Our playing module centres [on] a philosophy and not one person…”

Busby is hopeful that this trend will continue heading into the games against Mexico.

“Whosoever is playing in that position will be asked to do what ‘Bunny’ does, and the same thing as well in possession and out of possession. So, yeah, we want her in the squad, but again, it provides opportunities for other players to step up, and credit to them, they have done that, so may that continue heading into these games,” Busby noted.

“Players seem to be doing really well in their environments, but again, the injury plague at this time of year seems to have been running rampant, not just for us, but throughout football as well, and that has led to some challenges. We have to work through those things, but again, when these things happen, it provides another opportunity for players to come in and stake a claim, and that’s what we’re hoping to happen in this window as well,” he added.

Busby emphasised that his focus is on progress, not perfection, as the team gears up for the World Cup qualifiers. “We will continue to work hard, we will continue to do what we need to do… It’s not about perfection, it’s about progression. For us, it’s about going out there and improving on the performances from our last four matches,” he explained.

The coach highlighted several key objectives for the team, including improving performances within their playing module, keeping clean sheets, and enhancing possession.

“We want to see improved performances on our playing module, we want to make sure that we are keeping clean sheets, we want to make sure that we are getting better in the areas that we want to build better in possession, which I think we’ve improved on in our last four matches,” Busby noted.

Ultimately, Busby’s goal is for the team to emerge victorious, while also demonstrating improvement in their overall performance.

“The bottom line at the international level is to win football matches, and that’s what everyone looks out for… Overall, we just want to improve on our performances, which is the most important thing for us heading into these two matches,” he concluded.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers – Sydney Scheider, Liya Brooks, and Rebecca Spencer.

Defenders – Allyson Swaby, Naya Cardoza, Jaileah McPherson, Chantelle Swaby, and Konya Plummer.

Midfielders – Olufolasade Adamolekun, Drew Spencer, Deniesha Blackwood, Vyan Sampson, and Jade Bailey.

Forwards – Tiffany Cameron, Paige Bailey-Gayle, Jody Brown, Shania Haynes, Reanna Blades, Kayla McKenna, Trudi Carter, Shaniel Buckley, and Kameron Simmonds.

BUSBY… our playing module centres [on] a philosophy and not one person (Photo: Observer file)