More ‘top class’ games coming
JFF president promises increased clashes for Reggae Boyz against big teams
Published:Sunday | August 28, 2022 | 12:08 AMLivingston Scott - Sunday Gleaner Writer
JAMAICA’S REGGAE Boyz will tackle one of the world’s best and most famous football teams in two-time World Cup champions, Argentina, on September 27, and Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Michael Ricketts is promising more high-class friendly matches.
Ricketts said that it is important for Jamaica’s young players get a taste of what top-level football is about, as they gear towards preparation for 2026 World Cup qualification.
“We signed a contract to play Argentina on September 27 and that is something to smile about, to engage one of the superpowers in world football,” said Ricketts. “We play Argentina at the Red Bull Arena, we are really excited and hopefully we can get Jamaicans to support the exercise, as we start out preparations for 2026.”
Improvement of young players
He added: “We expect to be getting more of the same, as we are looking some top-class games so we can see what is happening as it relates to the improvement of young players and to give all young players a chance to represent the country at the highest level.
“I cannot divulge just yet, but we are pursuing other teams.”
The Reggae Boyz were due to play another high-profile friendly in June against another two-time World Cup champions Uruguay, but that match was cancelled after permission was not granted by Concacaf, the ruling body for the sport in this region.
The decision was waved off as Jamaica is slated to face regional powerhouse Mexico in a Nation’s League match on June 14, which is three days later than the June 11 date proposed for the friendly. Concacaf believes the Nations League contest would have been compromised, due to the proximity of the dates and the distance the Jamaica team would have to travel.
The Reggae Boyz just completed a mini series in Austria with games against Morocco and Qatar. They were also scheduled to face Ghana, but the African team did not arrive in Austria until the scheduled day for the clash, thus forcing a cancellation.
Jamaica lost 0-3 against Morocco, before playing to a 1-1 draw against Qatar on Friday.