FRISCO, Texas – Jamaica is off to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup after knocking out Panama in what was arguably the most exciting match of the Concacaf Women’s Championship. The 66th-ranked Reggae Girlz will be making their first appearance in the World Cup, and they could be a strong favorite to upset a top-ranked nation.
They are led by Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, 21, a star in the making. She’s got great pace, height, and a goal-scoring mentality. With a spot at the World Cup on the line, Shaw quickly opened the scoring for Jamaica, and was a threat whenever she had the ball.
“Honestly, there’s no feeling,” a speechless Shaw told The Equalizer after qualifying for the World Cup. “As a child growing up, you dream about this moment. You dream of seeing yourself in the World Cup, and playing in the World Cup. Now that we’ve actually made it. I really don’t… everything’s over me right now.”
Jamaica not only has an opportunity to bring women’s soccer into the spotlight back home, but they also have the ability to unite Jamaicans through women in sport. Jamaica hasn’t always been at the forefront for women’s rights, supporting women and equality.
“We’re going to change the culture back home with how they perceive women,” coach Hue Menzies said. “Those 20 girls made a change.
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