FOR THE first time in 11 months, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw will suit up in the national colours as the Manchester City striker has been named in Hubert Busby’s 21-player squad ahead of the Concacaf W Qualifiers.
The Girlz will face Dominica at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia on November 29 to open their Group B account.
The team will be boosted by the return of the prolific goalscorer, who last played for Jamaica in December 2024.
The striker was absent for six of the last seven Girlz’ fixtures due to injury, and missed out on last month’s friendly against Trinidad and Tobago due to fitness concerns with her club.
Busby praised Shaw as a “quality professional” who will only bolster the team’s chances of securing a positive result.
The striker leads the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) goalscoring charts with six goals in nine games, and is Jamaica’s all-time leading goalscorer.
“Obviously, Bunny is one of one,” Busby praised. “She’s a top pro and a quality professional.”
With her long-awaited return, Busby is confident Bunny can re-integrate with the squad with little concern.
He explained his tactics have always been centred around a player of Bunny’s talents and profile.
He said with a few training sessions under her belt, Bunny will once again be ready to play alongside her international teammates.
“We’ve been in touch with her and we’ve been in contact with her. I think what’s important to remember, though, is that the way that we play, it’s about the profiles of the players that play within that position,” Busby explained.
“The way that we want to play was always with a little bit of her in mind in terms of our philosophy and what we want to do, what is expected from that number nine position,” the Reggae Girlz boss continued.
“I think those two or three training sessions will be enough to integrate her back in… . We don’t foresee any issues with her being integrated, having been out for a while now.”
The W Qualifiers will be the Girlz first step towards qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Drawn in Group B, Jamaica will face Dominica, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Antigua and Barbuda for the top spot and qualification to the Concacaf W Championships.
The W Championships will serve as the region’s qualification tournament for the World Cup, with the top four teams automatically advancing to the world tournament.
The next best two teams will advance to the intercontinental play-offs for a second chance at World Cup qualification.
The W Championships will also serve as the qualification tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The top three teams from the tournament will advance to the LA Games. Should Jamaica earn qualification, it will be the first time in the nation’s history.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Sydney Schneider, Rebecca Spencer
Defenders: Konya Plummer, Naya Cardoza, Tianna Harris, Chantelle Swaby, Mia Mitchell, Jaileah McPherson
Midfielders: Tiffany Cameron, Atlanta Primus, Olufolasade Adamolekun, Israela Groves, Drew Spence, Deneisha Blackwood
Forwards: Natasha Thomas, Jody Brown, Ricshya Walker, Shania Hayles, Kalyssa Van Zanten, Shaneil Buckley, Khadija Shaw
