Gardner, Fuller called to Reggae Boyz's Gold Cup camp
June 15, 2009
Newly appointed head coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore has call up a squad of 23 players for a local pre-Gold Cup camp which will run until Saturday, June 22. National captain Ricardo Gardner and Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller will join up with the national team along with Tivoli Gardens midfielder Sheldon Palmer, who has earned his first invitation to the Reggae Boyz group.

Whitmore took over the coaching reins from former Liverpool and England midfielder, Jamaican John Barnes.  Barnes was hired in November after the JFF fired Brazilian Rene Simoes, and has led the Reggae Boyz to a winning record of five wins and four draws along with winning the Digicel Caribbean Cup in December.

Barnes, who will be leaving to take up an offer with English League Two club Tranmere Rovers said  "Ideally, I'd loved to have stayed for the Gold Cup, but I respect the decision of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in giving Theodore Whitmore sufficient time to prepare the team for what will be a tremendous task."  The decision not to renew Barnes’ contract has been a topic of debate in TheReggaeBoyz.com forum as some discuss if Whitmore will be held at the same level of accountability as Barnes? Some members have even suggested that Barnes should run for the presidency of the JFF. Give us your views in the forum.

Also recalled to the Gold Cup squad are Roland Dean and Jerry Walters from Tivoli Gardens and  Portmore United’s Eric Vernan and Brian Bayliss. The squad will be trimmed at the end of the local camp on Saturday.

Players called: Goalkeepers - Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Duwayne Kerr (Portmore United);
Defenders - Damion Stewart (Queens Park Rangers, UK), Claude Davis (Derby County,UK), Adrian Reid (Portmore United), Oraine Simpson (Tivoli Gardens FC), Eric Vernan (Portmore United), Desmond Breakenridge (Arnett Gardens FC), Ian Goodison (Tranmere Rovers, UK), Rafe Wolfe (Ferencvaros, HUNGARY);

Midfielders - Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers, UK), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday, UK), Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros, HUNGARY), Richard Edwards (Harbour View), Jerry Walters (Tivoli Gardens FC), Sheldon Palmer (Tivoli Gardens FC);

Forwards - Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City, UK), Luton Shelton (Aalborg, DENMARK), Bryan Bayliss (Portmore United), Roland Dean (Tivoli Gardens FC), Devon Hodges (Rivoli United), Keammar Daley (Meadhaven United) and Navian Boyd (Tivoli Gardens FC). Read more on Jamaican football in the forum

Jamaica defeats Panama 3-2
June 8, 2009
A come from behind 3-2 win by Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz over Panama, a team they have not defeated in 40 years, gave fans something to cheer about last night at the National Stadium. The victory also gave outgoing head coach John Barnes, who was appointed head coach last November, an unbeaten end to his contract as head coach. He will be heading back to England to take up the manager's job at Tranmere Rovers.

Panama took a surprise lead against the run of play, when they beat an offside trap deep in Jamaica’s half and their striker drove home a powerful right-footer past a diving Duwayne Kerr in goal. Jamaica pressed hard for the equalizer but was kept at bay by a strong Panamanian defense.

The Reggae Boyz supporters got something to cheer about on the stroke of half time as Jermaine Johnson received a pass midway his own half and skillfully beat the defender marking him and then accelerated between two more opponents and shot home from just inside the box. The half ended 1-1.

After almost giving up a goal immediately on the resumption, Jamaica kept pressuring their opponents and eventually reaped the rewards it deserved.

Five minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Mejia failed to hold a Jamal Campbell-Ryce cross from the right side and a lurking Desmond Hodges blasted the loose ball into the goal. It was the first goal at the senior level for Hodges in only his second appearance.

Panama found the equalizer in the 81st minute when substitute Luis Tejada scored a close range header from a right-sided cross that split the central defenders.

In what seemed like a stroke of luck as play could have been called back for an offside,
Daley got lucky as his shot bounced into the goal to end in a good victory against Panama.

Team Jamaica - Duwayne Kerr, Damion Stewart, Desmond Breakenridge, Demar Phillips (Rafe Wolfe 41st), Oraine Simpson, Jason Morrison (Khari Stephenson 69th), Rodolph Austin, Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Navion Boyd 76th), Jermaine Johnson, Desmond Hodges (Keammar Daley 80th), Luton Shelton (Nicholas Addlery 67th).
Subs not used: Dwayne Miller, Adrian Reid, Richard Edwards.
Booked: Phillips (24th), Morrison (45th+), Austin (57th), Stewart (62nd), Campbell-Ryce (76th), Johnson (ejected 90th+). More in the forum

El Salvador and Jamaica play to scoreless tie
May 31, 2009
Jamaica' Reggae Boyz and El Salvador played to a 0-0 tie in an international friendly match on Saturday night at the RFK stadium

Playing in front of over 30 thousand mostly El Salvador supporters, Jamaica stretched their unbeaten run against their Central American rivalsr to six.The team of mostly local-based players put on a much better performance than that of their 2-2 display against Haiti in Fort Lauderdale a week ago.

Although El Salvador controlled much of the early play, the Reggae Boyz were able to penetrate their opponents defence on a number of occasions. In the 19th minute, Jermaine Johnson's free kick into the El Salvador box just missed his team mates and in the 23rd minute a beautiful pass from Johnson to Nicholas Addlery was wasted as he slipped on the edge of the 18-yard box.

The Boyz went on the attack again in the 45th minute when Roland Dean sent a promising pass to Tivoli teammate Boyd, but the final shot rolled wide of target. Johnson had a clean shot at Montes in the 59th minute, but the goalie smothered it. He also stopped a shot from Oraine Simpson in the 83rd minute.

The Reggae Boyz will play their third match in the build up for the Gold Cup against Panama in Jamaica on Sunday June 7 at 6:00pm at the national Stadium.

Jamaica: GK- 13- Dwayne Miller, RB- 8-Eric Vernan (17- Oraine Simpson 76th), LB – 18-Rafe Wolfe, CB-6- Adrian Reid, CB – 3-Damion Stewart, RM- 12- Jermaine Johnson, LM – 9- Navian Boyd (10 – Wolry Wolfe), CM – 7 - Jason Morrison, CM – 2 - Richard Edwards, F - 4- Nicholas Addlery (5- Hodges 67th) and F- 11 - Roland Dean (16 – Keammar Daley 81st). Subs- Shawn Sawyers, Dicoy Williams, Oraine Simpson, Wolry Wolfe, Keammar Daley, Devon Hodges, Michael Campbell, Andre Campbell. More in the forum

Late goal gives Jamaica 2-2 tie against Haiti
May  24, 2009
A late goal by Damion Stewart helped Jamaica's Reggae Boyz to come from behind in their 2-2 tie against Haiti on Saturday night at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Reggae Boyz went ahead in the 28th minute when Nicholas Addlery picked up a through ball but saw his first attempt on goal blocked by the Haitian keeper Peterson Occenat deep in the goal area. Addlery then picked up the rebound and neatly converted from inside the six-yard box.

For most of the game Jamaica lacked cohesion and had problems containing a more determined Haitian team. It paid off for Haiti in the 39th minute when Raymond Ednerson and Jean Robens Jerome combined to make the score 1-1.

The problems continued for the Reggae Boyz as they lost defender Claude Davis to a second yellow card for a foul on Haiti midfielder Vaniel Sirin in the 44th resulting in Davis' ejection.

Haiti then took the lead in the 65th minute when Jerome received a pass from Ednerson on the left wing and beat Jamaica’s goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers giving Jerome his second goal.

Jamaica was able to breathe a sigh of relief in the 88th minute as a long free kick from Jason Morrison found a charging Stewart near the left post and he headed it pass past goalkeeper Peterson Occenat the Haitian goal.

Both teams used Saturday's match as preparation for the Gold Cup that begins in July. Jamaica will next play Central America’s Panama at the National Stadium in Jamaica on June 7. Read more in the forum

Jamaica to play warm-up games against Haiti and Panama
April 19
The president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Captain Horace Burrell has disclosed that Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will see friendly international action against Caribbean rivals Haiti on May 23 and against Central America’s Panama on June 7.

The Reggae Boyz senior team last saw action on February 11 when they played to an entertaining 0-0 tie with Nigeria's Super Eagles in London. The matches between Haiti and Panama will provide the Reggae Boyz with a chance to play some warm-up games ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup which runs from July 3-26 in 13 US cities.

Jamaica will meet Haiti at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the organizers of the game expects a large crowd as it will be played on the USA Memorial Holiday Weekend. The Reggae Boyz may not have their strongest team for this game as it will not be played on a FIFA-sanctioned date. The game will provide an opportunity for coach John Barnes to take a look at some of the better local players to use alongside the available overseas based players as they prepare for the Gold Cup.

In contrast to the Haiti game, all the top foreign-based Jamaican players will be available for the match against a tough Panama team to be played at the National Stadium, in Jamaica. It is expected that Panama will field their overseas-based players from Spain, South and Central America and will try to test the character of the Boyz. It will also be a clash between the two Digicel regional champions as Jamaica won the Digicel Champions Cup, while Panama won the Digicel Central American Championship. The last time the two teams met in a friendly international at the National Stadium on March 26, 2007, the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The action starved Reggae Boyz fans will get a chance to see UK-based Ricardo Gardner (captain), Ricardo Fuller, Damion Stewart, Marlon King, Omar Daley, Jermaine Johnson, Ian Goodison, Claude Davis, Jamal Capbell-Ryce; Scandinavia-based Luton Shelton, Demar Phillips; US Major Leaguers Tyrone Marshall, Donovan Ricketts, Dane Richards, Omar Cummings and France pro Tyrone Mears, who made his debuted against Nigeria.

Captain Burrell said that they are hoping to create an atmosphere inside the National Stadium similar to a World Cup qualifying match as they know that the fans have been starved of high quality football, and he believe this match-up will provide fireworks for the fans. Both teams were eliminated from the World Cup qualifying campaign at the semi-final stage and along with Haiti will look to redeem themselves at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA.

At the Gold Cup, Jamaica will compete in Group A with Canada, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Group B will see USA, Honduras, Haiti and Grenada while Panama contest Group C along with Guadeloupe, Mexico, Nicaragua. Read more in the Forum

Jamaica Football Federation cuts salaries and fires U-20 coaches
March 29, 2009
In a series of cost-cutting measures by the Jamaica Football Federation, members of the administrative and technical staff have agreed to take a pay cut, ranging from five to 20 per cent. Among those hit by a 20% reduction in their salary are head coach John Barnes and general secretary Horace Reid.

Barnes took over the leadership of the senior men's team from Brazilian Rene Simoes last November after a disastrous start to the Reggae Boyz World Cup campaign. He later led Jamaica to victory in the Digicel Caribbean Cup and to a 0-0 draw in a friendly international against Nigeria in London. Since then the senior Reggae Boyz team has been inactive and Barnes is back home in England which is cost effective for the JFF as there are no accommodation cost and additional expenses. Barnes next official tournament is the Gold cup scheduled to take place in the USA July 3-26.

Barnes was said to be very understanding with the current financial crisis and has accepted the reduction in his salary. After discussing it with JFF president Captain Horace Burrell, he agreed to accept the same level of cut as general secretary Horace Reid.

In other cost cutting measures, Jamaica's Under-20 football team head coach, Donovan Duckie, and his assistant, Lenworth Hyde Sr, were officially relieved of their duties following the poor performance and elimination of the the junior Reggae Boyz's during the final round of CONCACAF Under-20 World Cup qualifiers in Trinidad and Tobago last month.

According to JFF president, after the federation's technical committee's examination of the teams performance, he had no choice but release the coaches from their duties. The Under-20 team to the Youth World Cup in Egypt was a project in which the JFF had invested heavily and "people in charge must bear the brunt and face the consequences of their performance" Burrell said.

This latest round of cost cutting follows that done in November of last year after the elimination of the Mens team from the World Cup qualifiers in the semi-final round. On that occasion the entire coaching staff of the women's national program after the national was let go. Read more

Boyz bounce back with 2-1 victory
March 9, 2009
Jamaica's U-20 Reggae Boyz kept their youth World Cup hopes alive after defeating El Salvador 2-1 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago yesterday

Despite playing the second half with nine men the young Boyz were able to get the better of their opponents after both teams were locked at 1-1 at half time.

Jamaica got off to a good start when Romario Campbell scored in the eighth minute as he latched onto a pass from Alanzo Adlam and fired pass Diego Cuellar in goal. El Salvador rebound almost immediately as they equalized three minutes later with a goal from Herbert Arnold Sosa who found space inside the box and put one past goalkeeper Andre Blake.

A crunching tackle on striker Dever Orgil in the 32nd minute from Nelson Rivera saw El Salvador getting the first red card of the game.

Jamaica soon found themselves on the wrong side of the ref six minutes later as their captain Andre Derby picked up a red card leaving both teams with a man short. Things seemed to get worst for the young Reggae Boyz as on the stroke of halftime Orgill was sent off.

Jamaica found the winner in the 56th minute, when the diminutive Adlam got around the goalkeeper before calmly slotting home.

In the other game, a 10-man USA and Honduras ended drew 0-0. The result puts the USA, who beat Jamaica 3-0 in the opening game, on top of the group on four points, followed by Jamaica on three, Honduras on two and El Salvador on one.

A win for the Jamaicans in their final game of the tournament will ensure them a spot to the next round as the top two teams from each group will advance to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played in Egypt from September 24 to October 16 this year. Read more in the Forum

Reggae Boyz hold Nigeria to 0-0 draw
The Reggae Boyz and the Super Eagles of Nigeria played out a 0-0 draw in a friendly international before 5,000 fans in London. The game was overshadowed by the sending off of Jamaica's Jermaine Johnson and Taye Taiwo of Nigeria two minutes before half-time.

Both teams started cautiously in opening 15 minutes without either side having a clear cut opportunity in front of goal. It was Jamaica who threatened first after a superb run by Jermaine Johnson created a great opportunity as the ball flashed across goal. This was followed by both Luton Shelton and Demar Phillips failing to convert opportunities from close range.

Nigeria came close to scoring on a few occasions but they also saw their chances not finding the net. With four minutes to go before half-time Taiwo and Johnson were dismissed by referee Mike Dean after a scuffle at the touchline. The half is ended with Nigeria pressing The Reggae Boyz.

With both teams playing a man short, the second half was more open with Nigeria showing more attacking intent. Nigeria came very close with an Obinna free kick that Osaze should have scored and Luton Shelton replied with a one on one with the keeper could have put the Boyz ahead. With 18 minutes remaining, Jamaica almost stole the game when Wolry Wolfe's shot was`blocked but Wolfe just couldn't get his balance to follow up with a second effort. Jamaica's coach John Barnes said that his teams performance was just what he expected against a very good Nigerian side that played with a lot of composure, a lot of skill and a lot of cohesion.

Below is a full game running commentry compliments of the Barnsley Website at http://www.footballbarnsley.co.uk

It is a real carnival atmosphere inside and outside the ground. Jamaica are playinging in their familiar yellow and Nigeria in all white.
A fast paced opening 15 minutes without either side having a clear cut opportunity in front of goal. There may only be a few thousand in the ground but the noise is fantastic.
25: Austin and Johnson combined well to feed the ball through to Marlon King but the linesman was quick to flag for offside
27: A superb run by Johnson created a great opportunity as the ball flashed across goal only needing King to get a touch to score. From the corner the ball nearly came to SHelton to poke in from 3 yards but Austine was first to it.
28: Nsofor Obinna takes a corner that falls nicely onto Osaze head and he gets good contact, but it goes a yard over. At the moment Nigeria's attacks seem to get to the final third of the pitch and break down. You can't help feeling that Campbell-Ryce would suit the type of game at the moment and hopefully he will be on at the start of the second half.
32: Nigeria get a shot on target but it lacked pace and was straight at the Jamaican number two keeper Sawyers.
40: Good build up play by Nigeria, patient and stroking the bal around until Obinna brings down Claud Davis after mis-controling the ball.
42: The half is ending with Nigeria pinning back the Jamaican team in their half.
44: Drama at the New Den. Handbags at high noon with Jermaine Johnson for Jamaica getting a straight red for pushing the linesman and Taiye Taiwo off for Nigeria for some bad temper!
Half time
Campbell-Ryce starts the second half.
50: Nigeria come very close with an Obinna free kick that either Apam or Osaze should have scored and at the other end Shelton one on one with the keeper could have got a goal himself for Jamaica
51: Campbell-Ryce nearly carves an opening for Shelton as he is only just beaten to the ball by the Nigerian keeper.
52: A back pass lands Jamaica in trouble as the Eagles have a free kick in the area, but the wall does an effective job.
54: Obinna delivers another good free kick and once again Osaze is close to getting the opener.
56: It's close again as Sawyers makes a good save for Jamaica. Attendance is 5,078.
57: Campbell-Ryce goes on a familiar mazy run and completes the move with a long back heel to a Jamaican player, but at the moment it is Nigeria creating the good chances.
59: Obinna delivers a great corner and brings out a superb save from Sawyers.
60: Wow! Sawyers is on fire for Jamaica with another outstanding save to keep the Reggae Boyz in it.
67: Campbell-Ryce is bossing the midfield for Jamaica. I think he could have made a real difference in the first half.
68: If Jamaica come out of this game with a draw they will have Sawyers to thank. He has kept them in it at least three times in the second half.
70: Danny Shittu takes a long range punt and is about three feet wide. Good effort and worth a try.
75: Jamaica nearly stole a goal there with Wolry Wolfe's shot just about saved by Austine, rebounding and Wolfe just couldn't get his balance to follow up with a second effort.
79: The games is being stretched now as both sides look hungry for a win.
84: Jamaica have made 7 substitutions so far, just Vernon and Miller not on.
85: Scary moment for Jamaica as Nigeria broke free, but the Reggae Boyz defence has been very good tonight
86: Wolfe turns and shoots quickly, but just wide.
88: Campbell-Ryce lets a flyer go off his boot, but again a couple of feet wide.
90: Nigeria try one last go at goal with two minutes added time remaining. Obinna looks like he has been shot and wins a free kick near the corner

Reggae Boyz hit by injuries ahead of Nigeria encounter
February, 8, 2009
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz squad set to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria next Wednesday, February 1, has been hit by injuries and a number of key players are questionable for the game. The friendly international is slated to be played at The New Den stadium in London, home of championship side Millwall Football Club (FC).

Affected by pre-season training injuries are Tyrone Marshall of the Toronto FC and number one goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. Ricketts aggravated an old finger injury during Galaxy's a training session at the Home Depot Center and will not see any action in the game. Harbour View goalkeeper, Dwayne Miller, was drafted into the Reggae Boyz squad to replace the injured Donovan Ricketts and will now compete with Portmore's Shawn Sawyers for the starting spot.

Another early withdrawal was new comer to the team, Darren Pratley, of English championship club Swansea City. Pratley suffered a serious injury to his shoulder in their recent 4-1 win over Preston and will have to wait a little longer to make his debut for the Reggae Boyz as he is set for a 10-week lay off.

Forward, Ricardo Fuller, who plays for Stoke City, could miss the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Sunderland. Fuller, who is the Potters' top scorer this season with six goals, landed awkwardly in Saturday's game and manager Tony Pulis fears that he will be sidelined for at least three months.

Another key player that is likely to miss action is stalwart defender Ian Goodison, who could face a lengthy lay-off after sustaining an ankle injury in a tackle recently in a League One encounter. Manager Ronnie Moore stated that if Goodison sustained ligament damage he could be out for five to six weeks.

Also questionable is defender Ricardo Gardner of the Bolton Wanderers as he was a late on starter in Boltons game against Everton on Saturday. It was reported that Gardner is suffering from a sore knee and may be rested for the Nigeria game.

Coach John Barnes will have to scramble to fine solid replacements for his injury hit squad as Nigeria has vowed to Roast Jamaica, and all the invited players have indicated their readiness to honor the match to prove their superiority. Barnes will have to rely on the experience and firepower of strikers Luton Shelton and Marlon King to take the attack to the Eagles. Both strikers have recently made loan moves with Shelton moving from Valerenga in Norway to Aalborg in Denmark and King going from Hull City to Middlesbrough in the English Premiership.

In midfield, Demar Phillips will be looking have a strong performance as a way solidify his position with the Boyz and to impress his new team, Aalesunds FK in Norway, a recent move he made from Stoke City.

Hoping to make a strong debut as he joins the Reggae Boyz for the first time is the pacy wingback Tyrone Mears who is on loan from Championship side Derby to Olympique Marseille in France. Mears, along with defender Claude Davis, also on loan deal from Championship rivals Derby County to Crystal Palace, could be used to strengthen the Jamaican back line thanks to their Premier League experience.

Reggae Boyz Squad: Goalkeepers - Dwayne Miller (Harbour View FC), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United); Defenders - Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers) questionable, Ian Goodison (Tranmere Rovers) unlikely, Tyrone Marshall (Toronto FC) unlikely, Claude Davis (Derby County), Damion Stewart, (Queens Park Rangers), Tyrone Mears (Marseille, France), Eric Vernan (Portmore United); Midfielders- Rodolph Austin (SK Brann), Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday), Demar Phillips (Aelesunds, Norway), Omar Daley (Bradford City), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley);Forwards - Marlon King (Middlesbrough), Dane Richards (Red Bull New York), and Luton Shelton (Aalborg, Denmark). Read more on the game in the Forum

Reggae Boyz Name Squad for Nigeria Friendly
Jan. 16, 2009
The Jamaica Football Federation and their Nigerian counterparts have agreed to final terms for the highly anticipated international friendly match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Reggae Boys of Jamaica. The game is scheduled to be played at the New Den Stadium in London, England on February 11, 2009.

Nigeria opted to play Jamaica after their initial plan to play Ghana in preparation to the forthcoming final phase of the 2010 FIFA World Cup/African Cup of Nations failed to materialize. The game is a perfect opportunity for the Reggae Boyz as they plan to play friendly internationals on all the available FIFA dates during the year and the JFF announced that they have called two newcomers for the Jamaican lineup.

Twenty-five year-old defender Tyrone Mears and 23-year-old Darren Pratley, a midfielder were included in the squad of 20 named . Mears, a right wingback who is listed at 5’10, is currently on loan at French club Marseille. Described as a pacy player, Mears was previously attached to Manchester city and West Ham before moving to Derby County from where he was loaned to Marseille.

Pratley, a six-footer, is a midfielder who started his career at Arsenal before joining Fulham where he made his professional debut. He was loaned out to Brentford before being signed by Swansea City.

Former England and Liverpool legend and Technical Director of the Reggae Boyz, John Barnes, has drafted the Liberty Stadium midfielder into his squad that is largely made up of overseas-based players. Only goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers and defender Eric Vernan, the most valuable player in the Digicel Caribbean Championships, the finals of which were held in Jamaica in December, are locally-based. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, recently signed by Major League Soccer (MLS) team LA Galaxy was also named in the team.

In four previous meetings between two teams, Jamaica (66th in latest FIFA rankings) have won once, lost twice and drawn once. Nigeria were 1-0 winners in May 2002 in a friendly tournament in England, Six months later, the Boyz visited the Africans on the continent and came away with a 0-0 scoreline. In 2003, the Jamaicans hosted the Eagles in Kingston winning 3-2. In another friendly tournament in England in 2004, saw Nigeria blanked the Boyz 2-0.

Nigeria, ranked 17th by FIFA, has named a 24-man squad for the London showdown. It includes goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Dele Aiyenugba; defenders Daniel Shittu, Joseph Yobo, Obinna Nwaneri, Taiye Taiwo, Chidi Odiah, Adeleye Ayodele, Onyekachi Apam, Olubayo Adefemi; midfielders John Mikel Obi, Kalu Uche, Paul Obiefule, Sani Kaita, Seyi Olofinjana, Femi Ajilore, Yusuf Ayila; forwards Nwankwo Kanu (captain), Ikechukwu Uche, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Joseph Akpala, and Michael Eneramo.

Jamaica squad is: Goalkeepers - Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United); Defenders - Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers), Ian Goodison (Tranmere Rovers), Claude Davis (Derby County), Damion Stewart (Queens Park Rangers), Tyrone Marshall Toronto FC), Tyrone Mears (Marseille, France), Eric Vernan (Portmore United) , Midfielders- Rodolph Austin (SK Brann), Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday), Demar Phillips (Stoke City), Omar Daley (Bradford City), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley), Darren Pratley (Swansea City); Forwards - Marlon King (Hull City), Dane Richards (Red Bull New York), Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City) and Luton Shelton (Valerenga). Read More In The Forum

Jamaica wins Caribbean title to claim next-to-last berth in CONCACAF U-20 Championship
Jan. 14, 2009
Jamaica secured the next-to-last berth in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship by beating St. Vincent & the Grenadines 2-0. The victory put the young Reggae Boyz atop the four-team showdown. St. Vincent finished second with six points and still has a chance to qualify for the CONCACAF finals, facing Honduras in a two-leg playoff for the last berth in the March 6-15 championship in Trinidad & Tobago.

At the draw for the next round of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, the young Reggae Boyz were drawn in Group A alongside the United States of America (USA), El Salvador and the winner of the play-off between Honduras and St Vincent. Head coach of the Under-20 team, Donovan Duckie, said he was pleased with the teams that Jamaica have been grouped with following drawing of the group at CONCACAF's headquarters in New York.

The top-two teams from the group will advance to the semi-final round which effectively will seal their place in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 which runs from September 25 to October 16, 2009. Group B will consist of CONCACAF kingpins Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada and hosts Trinidad and Tobago.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has named a 27-man squad in preparation for the final round. The players called are Goalkeepers Andre Blake (Clarendon College, Sporting Central Academy), Dennis Taylor (Reno FC), Gariece McPherson (Portmore United); defenders Lynval Wilson (Reno FC), Andre Campbell (Portmore United), Andre Darby (Portmore United), Keithy Simpson (Sporting Central Academy), Leaunghn Williams (Lennon, Sporting Central Academy), Christopher Banner (Sporting Central Academy) Damaine Thompson (Rusea's High, Bamboo FC), Sean Fogah (Garvey Maceo, Portmore United); midfielders Romario Campbell (Harbour View), John-Ross Doyley (Glenmuir, Portmore United), Theo Brown (Waterhouse FC), Romeo Parkes (St George's SC), Andre Steele (Bridgeport High, Harbour View), Keniel Hyde (Meadhaven FC), Kadian Wynter (Sporting Central Academy), Evan Taylor (Reno FC), Davion Thorpe (Reno FC); forwards Dever Orgill (Vancouver Whitecaps), Roy Forbes (Arnett Gardens FC), Andre Clennon (Waterhouse FC), Shamar Shelton (St George's College, HVFC), Kemal Malcolm (St George's College, Meadhaven FC), Shavon Brown (Glenmuir, Portmore United) and Alanzo Adlam (Sporting Central Academy).

Read more 2008 Jamaica Football News