Jamaica Coach, Tappa Whitmore
Even though the media may be reporting that Jamaica has picked a media strength team for its international friendly against Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, this is going to be no walkover for the South African National Team.
According to the Reggaeboyz website, Jamaica coach, Tappa Whitmore said his players had worked hard and well together in training and that this game was an opportunity to show that they can compete with anybody.
Reggae Boys – No Top US or European Based Players in Squad
The Reggae Boyz will no doubt be happy with the late inclusion of defender Shavar Thomas whose team has dropped out of the end of the season play-offs in Major League Soccer in the US.
While Jamaica have a valid reason to not call-up their American-based players, the decision not to ask their English-based stars to make the trip to Bloemfontein can in some ways be construed as a snub at their South African hosts.
Players like Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Gardner and Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller have not been called up and also out is Norway-based Luton Shelton, who top scored for Jamaica in their unsuccessful 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign. He got seven goals in eight games.
Jamaica Coach, Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore
Jamaica Coach Theodore Whitmore has included two wingers from the second tier of English football, London-born Jamal Campbell-Ryce of Barnsley and Jermaine Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday.
According to the Reggaeboyz website Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore was an integral member of Jamaica’s team in the 98 World Cup and scored the two goals in Jamaica’s defeat of Japan. In the same year, he was also instrumental in helping Jamaica win the Caribbean Football Championship and was crowned the ‘Caribbean Footballer of the Year.’
Jamaica (Reggae Boyz) Squad:
Goalkeepers: Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United)
Defenders: Adrian Reid (Lillestrom, Norway), Jermaine Taylor (Harbour View), Shavar Thomas (Chivas USA, USA), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View)
Midfielders: Rudolph Austin (Brann Bergen, Norway), Bryan Bayliss (Portmore United), Navian Boyd (Tivoli Gardens), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley, England), Keamarr Daley (Tivoli Gardens), Richard Edwards (Harbour View), Jermaine Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Jason Morrison (Ferencvarosi, Hungary), Lovell Palmer (Harbour View), Demar Phillips (Aalsesund, Norway), Erick Vernan (Nybergsund IL, Norway)
Strikers: Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids, USA), Devon Hodges (Rivoli), Dane Richards (New York Red Bull, USA)
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