Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz grapples with senior player absences for Gold Cup qualifiers

On Friday, interim Reggae Girlz Head Coach Xavier Gilbert faced the daunting task of assembling a weakened squad for Jamaica's two Women's Gold Cup Qualifiers this month, following the rejection of invitations by the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup heroines. Gilbert's appointment by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) took place only a day before the squad selection, and the first game against Panama is scheduled for next Wednesday. This last-minute appointment followed the JFF's unsuccessful search for a new head coach after opting not to renew the contract of Lorne Donaldson, who guided the Reggae Girlz to the Round of 16 at the recent Women's World Cup. Having previously served as an assistant coach under Donaldson, Xavier Gilbert now finds himself leading the team with minimal preparation time.

CONCACAF W Gold Cup is set for next year

The second game in the Women's Gold Cup Qualifiers will be against Guatemala the following Sunday, with only the group winner advancing to the first-ever CONCACAF W Gold Cup scheduled for February 20 to March 10 next year in the United States. The rejection of invitations by senior players and technical staff is rooted in concerns related to the coaching staff and unresolved financial matters, including outstanding payments and bonuses owed to them by the JFF. The absence of key technical staff further compounds the challenges facing Gilbert and the squad. Gilbert expressed his concerns, stating, "It has to be a concern; the team will not be at its best, especially with a new bunch, but that’s what we have to work with." He continued, "I can only control what I can control, and that’s the approach I’m taking, so we just going to try to organize them tactically and hopefully whatever we get to do we will be able to give a good performance."

Squad is composed of primarily college-based players

Regarding the lack of technical support, Gilbert acknowledged, "Fantastic backroom staff, I wish they were here, and the players, but they made a decision which is understandable." Left with limited options, Gilbert has selected a squad primarily composed of college-based players, with a few senior players who were not part of the recent World Cup and Olympic Games qualifying campaigns. The selected squad for Jamaica's Women's Gold Cup Qualifiers includes: Goalkeepers: Chriss-Ann Chambers (Dinamo Sokhumi), Javanae Jones (Multnomah University), Alliyah Morgan (George Mason University) Defenders: Lauren Reid (University of Maryland), Malikae Dayes (AAB in Denmark), Zoe Vidaurre (George Mason University), Nevillegail Able (University of Maine at Fort Kent), Alika Keene (SK Slavia Praha Zeny), Shanhaine Nelson (Cavalier), Tyiesha Nelson (Reinas Academy), Jayda Hylton-Pelaia (Woodbridge Strikers) Midfielders: Chinyelu Asher (SCU Torreense), Israela Groves (London City Lionesses), Marlo Sweatman (Viktoria Haladas), Davia Richards (Hill College), Destiny Powell (Frazsiers Whip) Forwards: Ricshya Walker (LaSalle University), Christina Salmon (William Carey University), Mikayla Dayes (Rodez AF in France), Shaneil Buckley (Frazsiers Whip), Natoya Atkinson (Seaward County), Melissa Johnson (Charlton Athletic Women FC), Sydnie Street (Seneca College).