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Reggae Girlz to strengthen core against ‘rebuilding’ T&T
October 28, 2025
The Reggae Girlz will face off against a Trinidad and Tobago unit currently on the mend, in an international football friendly at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad, today at 7 p.m. Jamaica time.
Both women's national teams are meeting for the first time in seven years, as preparation for the upcoming Concacaf W Qualifiers.
Jamaica will be without several of their top players as Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, Drew Spence and Trudy Carter were all omitted from Jamaica's initial 20-player squad.
Hubert Busby Jr, head coach of the Reggae Girlz, was forced to make several more changes to his team as Rebecca Spencer, Atlanta Primus, Vyan Sampson and Shania Hayles all fell out of contention due to injuries.
They have been replaced by Mia Mitchell, Lola Nesbeth, Serena Mensa and Ricshya Walker.
It is a first time call-up for Nesbeth, who represents the Chelsea Women's U21, recently returning from a year-long injury.
Busby said in the absence of key players, he can rely on a core group of players who have been gaining experience over the past year through several high-profile games.
"We've used the opportunity to maintain core players when players aren't available due to injury or personal reasons," he said of practice encounters. "We've respected that heading into other games and it's allowed for us to build our core group of players.
"You've seen a lot of those players participate in some really big matches where they've gained some really valuable experience."
REBUILDING
Trinidad and Tobago are rebuilding their women's football programme after a period of inactivity.
Having been without a head coach for over a year, they appointed Angus Eve in September, but were stunned when Eve - after only 21 days in charge - tendered his resignation.
The team will be guided by Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald, who had initially been appointed as Eve's assistants.
Briggs said they see today's fixture as a test ahead of the W Qualifiers.
"At present, we are in a rebuilding stage with the team which comprises experienced and young players. Our immediate focus is the preparation for the Jamaica friendly on Tuesday," he said.
"After the Jamaica match, we will reflect collectively and try to improve on all elements from the game before switching our focus to preparations for the first qualifying game against Barbados at the end of November."
Trinidad are drawn in Group F in the W Qualifiers, alongside El Salvador, Honduras and Barbados.
