We are going to the World Cup to compete! Ricketts expects Reggae Girlz to impress in France
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Michael Ricketts, believes the Reggae Girlz can be competitive at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, after yesterday’s historic qualification to the tournament, which is set for France.
Khadija Shaw (14th) and Jody Brown (95th) scored for the Reggae Girlz, who defeated Panama 4-2 on penalties, after the teams had played out a 2-2 draw after regulation and extra time in their Concacaf Women’s Championships third-place match at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Natalia Mills (74th) and Lineth Cedeno (115th) had scored equalising goals for the Panamanians.
Ricketts said the JFF will be making every effort to give the team the best possible chance to enjoy success at next year’s tournament.
“Preparation will depend on affordability. We want to give them as best a chance, because we believe this team has the ability not to just qualify for France, but to be competitive and we want to give them as best a chance as we can,” Ricketts told STAR Sports.
“So we are looking for all stakeholders to give us some support, so we can give the girls the type of support they need in France as we believe they can be very competitive at the World Cup,” Ricketts said.
He, however, noted that this accomplishment did not come overnight.
“There are a number of people who would have contributed immensely, Hue Menzies and his two assistants, Lorne Donaldson and Andrew Price. They were not only coaches, they were sponsors, they took their money and used it to the betterment of the girls. So I want to congratulate them.
“People like Elaine Walker-Brown and Jean Nelson, who have been behind the programme and the role they have played cannot be understated. I also want to acknowledge Vin Blaine, one of the pioneers of the women’s programme, and all the coaches who have participated in the building of the senior team,” he said.