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Peru games a litmus test for young Reggae Girlz
February 18, 2025
With several key players absent from his 23-player squad, Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr said the upcoming international friendlies against Peru will be a chance for young players to stake their claim in the national programme.
Jamaica will take on the South Americans in two friendlies set for February 23 and 26 in Lima, Peru.
Busby said the game will be a good opportunity for the coaching staff to assess several young players who have been selected to represent the senior team.
"It gives us a chance to look at some other players as well," the head coach said. "We're looking forward to integrating some players back into the group, especially with them being away with their schools and different commitments."
Among the group of young players will be Florida State University (FSU) duo Kameron Simmonds and Amelia van Zanten, who are no strangers to the senior team.
Simmonds made her senior debut for Jamaica back in 2022 in a 1-0 loss to South Korea and was a member of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.
Van Zanten, the younger sister of Reggae Girl Kalyssa van Zanten, made her senior debut last year in a 4-0 loss to Brazil after impressing the U20 team.
"We're excited to see some of these younger players and what they bring in. With the likes of Kameron and Mimi, they are veteran players who have been around the group and know what to be expected," Busby said.
"So yeah, we're excited about our pool of players and the young players who are asking questions and are pushing through for sure."
Busby is keenly awaiting their performance on the pitch in the absence of several key players.
Manchester City's Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw and Newcastle United's Shania Hayles have been left out from the squad after discussions with the players and their clubs regarding load management.
Liverpool defender Taylor Hinds is also a key absentee from the squad, while veteran defender Konya Plummer had a minor procedure which sees her ruled out of competition.
"It is just more load management for some of these players," he said. "We're always going to do what is in the best interest of the players at this particular time because if we lose these players to long-term injuries, God forbid, it just doesn't want to be in terms of load management," he explained.
The friendlies are be viewed as early preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign as Jamaica eye a third consecutive appearance at the competition.
