Reggae Girlz striker Khadija "Bunny" Shaw
KFC has taken their partnership with Khadija “Bunny” Shaw to a whole new level, spicing up their collaboration for even greater impact.
The quick service food giant launched an exciting new ‘KFC Big Deal’ campaign earlier this week featuring the country’s all-time top goalscorer, on the eve of the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will feature Shaw and Reggae Girlz making their historic second-consecutive appearance.
According ROJ Brand Manager Andrei Roper, this project symbolises phase two of KFC Jamaica’s brand partnership with Shaw.
“As we dive into phase two of our incredible partnership with Khadija “Bunny” Shaw with our new ‘Big Deal’ campaign, we’re filled with immense pride and excitement. From the first moment we signed her as an ambassador before the FIFA Men’s World Cup last November, we knew we had on our team, a true champion who perfectly aligns with the spirit of KFC. We are glad to embark on this new chapter with Shaw as we stand by her and the inspiring Reggae Girlz, united in the pursuit of greatness on the world stage,” Roper said.
Shaw also expressed delight with the extended partnership.
“The brand partnership has been great! Being part of KFC’s team has been really fun and it’s amazing to see a brand like KFC invest and support women’s football in Jamaica. I’m grateful for their support so far and I’m looking forward to seeing us continue to grow and develop together. It has already been a journey filled with a shared passion for women’s football in Jamaica and the next phase is a big opportunity to support and grow the game in our country. We’re seeing the game grow globally and Jamaica has a key role to play on and off the pitch.”
The campaign will be in full effect just in time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and running throughout the entirety of the Women’s World Cup, as Shaw attracts the support and attention of many in this year’s tournament.
KFC is also proud to recognise her outstanding achievements over the past year - competing in 22 matches in the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Manchester City, scoring 20 goals with 7 assists, while collecting numerous accolades including her club’s Player of the Season, multiple WSL Player of the Month trophies, and the CONCACAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
Shaw says the team is looking forward to representing Jamaica on the biggest stage.
“It’s a huge moment for us, to represent our country, to play for our families and represent ourselves on such a huge stage is an exciting moment for all of us. We will make sure to do our best on the pitch, but we’re also going to need everyone’s support back home,” she asserted.
KFC recently expanded their commitment to women’s football through their $7 Million sponsorship of the Reggae Girlz last month. As main broadcast sponsors of the Women’s World Cup in the country, KFC has promised Jamaicans extensive coverage of the competition on a free to air station.
Hurtig the hero after late goal sends Arsenal into Champions League quarters
Lina Hurtig's 89th minute winner ensured Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League after edging Juventus 1-0 on Thursday.
After being frustrated for large parts of the encounter, Hurtig bundled home from close range after Martina Lenzini's poor clearance to book the Gunners' place in the last eight.
Despite Arsenal dominating the early exchanges, it was Juventus who had the first sight of goal, though Eva Schatzer's effort was easy for Daphne van Domselaar to gather.
In a first half that saw just two shots on target, both coming from the visitors, Renee Slegers' substitutes proved to be the difference for Arsenal.
Slegers introduced Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius and Hurtig late on, with the latter somehow putting Kim Little's cross over the bar from five yards out.
However, the Swede would atone for her earlier error, combining with fellow substitute Blackstenius to net against her former club and send them out of the competition with two group games remaining.
Meanwhile, in Group D, Barcelona edged closer to the quarter-finals of the competition with a convincing 4-1 victory over St. Polten at the Generali Arena.
The reigning champions are still three points behind Manchester City following their 2-1 win over Hammarby, and know a win against the Swedes next month will see them progress.
Kika Nazareth opened the scoring in the 20th minute after capitalising on a mistake by Kamila Dubcova, notching her second nine minutes later from close range.
Barca found themselves three goals up at the break when Vicky Lopez netted her first goal in the competition to put the result beyond doubt.
There was also a landmark moment for Alexia Putellas, who netted her 200th goal for the club with a well-taken effort into the far corner.
Valentina Madl took some of the shine off an otherwise impressive display from the visitors, who have now taken their tally to 20 goals from their four matches in the competition.
Guardiola agrees two-year contract extension with Man City
Pep Guardiola will be Manchester City manager for at least two more seasons after 2024-25, after he signed a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
The 53-year-old was coming to the end of his City deal, which was due to expire at the end of the current campaign, but he has opted to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
The deal itself will take Guardiola's tenure at the club to over a decade, making him City's longest-serving manager since Les McDowall in 1963.
There had been suggestions that he may leave at the end of the season following the announcement that director of football Txiki Begiristain was on his way out.
Guardiola was strongly linked with the England job after Gareth Southgate resigned in the wake of their Euro 2024 final defeat, but the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel last month.
“Manchester City means so much to me," Guardiola said. “This is my ninth season here; we have experienced so many amazing times together. I have a really special feeling for this football club.
“That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons.
“Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me – The Owner, The Chairman Khaldoon, Ferran, Txiki, the players and, of course, the fans… everyone connected to Manchester City. It has always been an honour, a pleasure and a privilege to be here.
“I have said this many times before, but I have everything a manager could ever wish for, and I appreciate that so much.
“Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Having been appointed in 2016, Guardiola is by some distance Manchester City's most successful manager of all time, having won 18 major trophies during his time at the club.
That list includes their first-ever Champions League triumph in 2023 and six Premier League titles, including an unprecedented four on the spin.
He also boasts a 72.04% win percentage across all competitions, which is unsurprisingly the highest of any full-time City manager in history.
Shaw at the double as Man City progress in Champions League
Khadija Shaw scored twice as Manchester City beat Hammarby 2-1 to seal their place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals.
Gareth Taylor's team entered Thursday's game with a perfect record in Group D, and their fourth win in as many European matches ensured they finished in the top two.
Shaw—the leading scorer in the Women's Super League this season with eight goals—put them ahead in the 31st minute, driving into the area after taking in Yui Hasegawa's pass before seeing her shot deflect into the top corner.
Shaw was booked for celebrating in front of the home fans despite appearing to have objects thrown at her from the stands, and Hammarby should have levelled when Julia Blakstad fired wide 10 minutes later.
The hosts did draw level three minutes into the second half as Ellen Wangerheim tapped home while City's Laura Blindkilde Brown was down appealing for a free-kick.
That parity was short-lived, though, as Shaw blasted into the top corner from 25 yards out, taking her overall tally for this season to 12 goals in all competitions.
In Group C, meanwhile, Bayern Munich lost their perfect record as they played out a 1-1 draw with Valerenga, boosting Arsenal's hopes of topping the pile.
Jovana Damnjanovic came off the bench to put Bayern ahead 15 minutes from time in Norway, but Elise Thorsnes headed home following an 88th-minute corner to snatch a point for the hosts.
Arsenal could now move within a point of Bayern when they face Juventus in Group C's other match later on Thursday.
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