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• Hubert Busby aims to build on positives after Reggae Girlz two-match triumph over South Africa

  Jamaica’s Head coach, Hubert Busby, took heart from a successful two-match friendly series against South Africa, as he intends to use the victories as a foundation to sharpen his Reggae Girlz ahead of critical future competitions.

  The Reggae Girlz, who dominated the first match with a 3-0 win last Friday, followed up with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in the second match on Monday at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall.

  Goals from Vyan Sampson (58th), Drew Spence (63rd), and substitute Kayla McKenna (76th) overturned Linda Motlhalo’s 19th-minute opener and rendered Amogeland Motau’s added-time strike inconsequential.

  For Busby, the series wasn’t just about securing wins but about testing the squad in challenging scenarios.

  This, as he pointed out that the quick turnaround between matches posed a physical challenge for both teams, but in the same breath, stressed the importance of resilience and adaptability, particularly after a lackluster first half in the second game.

  

  “Yeah, I mean, look, the quick turnaround for both teams was always going to be a little bit tedious. You could see that a little bit in the first half—us trying to find our legs a bit. Credit to the medical and high-performance staff for getting the players ready,” Busby said post-match.

  “These games are why we play them. We're going to be put in stressful situations; I wouldn't like it to be as stressful in the 90th minute, but that's football, you know, and credit to the team for how they responded and were worthy winners in the end,” he added.

  Busby credited late adjustments for the team’s second-half resurgence after a lukewarm first half. They struggled to find rhythm and squandered a few half chances against a more confident-looking South African outfit that moved the ball well on this occasion.

  “We recognized how they were building their play, so we spoke about it at halftime and showed the players what we wanted to do in terms of pressing higher. They responded really well, and those adjustments and then the impetus of players to carry out those instructions is really why we were able to turn around the game in the second half,” he explained.

  Despite the team’s offensive prowess, Busby admitted disappointment at failing to maintain a clean sheet.

  “Keeping a clean sheet is about the whole team and shows a good defensive performance. Overall, I still think we played well, but football is about moments. We have to manage those moments better because quality opposition at this level will punish you if we don’t. So it’s another chance for us to learn, grow, and take it into the next window,” he said.

  

  The tactician also addressed the absence of veteran Tiffany Cameron, explaining that the decision allowed younger players to gain valuable experience as they aim to balance development and performance.

  “Everybody here is ready. This camp was about evaluating players and seeing how they handle stressful situations. Tiffany is a veteran, so we know what she brings. But it’s also about embedding younger players into the group because it is us building a programme so that we can go to this 2027 World Cup and consecutive World Cups thereafter,” he stated.

  With the February international window next in their line of sight, Busby is already planning for tougher tests to further prepare the team for the World Cup qualifiers.

  “Plans are already in place to get an opposition. We’ve had conversations with different federations, and we’ll confirm that in the next four to five weeks. Another quality opposition that is going to test us in a stressful environment will make us better for World Cup qualifiers,” he ended.

  Meanwhile, 19-year-old goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who earned her first two caps during the series, welcomed the opportunity.

  “For me, it was kind of like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I knew the team had my back, and that made it easier. I'll say that I feel like my communication with my team is quite solid, and I feel like that's probably the most important thing.

  “Moving forward, it’s about getting comfortable and learning my teammates individually. Also to make sure that I'm locked in and focused for every ball played back, and just making sure that I take time to breathe and live in the moment and also ensure that I'm confident in what I'm doing,” Brooks shared.

• Man City thinking about title would be a 'huge mistake', says Guardiola

  Pep Guardiola conceded it would be a "big mistake" for Manchester City to think about retaining the Premier League title amid their four-game losing run in the competition.

  City were handed their latest defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, losing 2-0 at Anfield to leave them 11 points adrift of Arne Slot's side at the summit of the standings. 

  The Citizens return to the Etihad on Wednesday to take on Nottingham Forest, who returned to winning ways last weekend with a narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. 

  Guardiola's men may be in poor form, but they are unbeaten in their past eight league games against Forest, stretching back to a 3-2 loss in the second tier in December 1997.

  However, when asked about his side's chances of winning a fifth consecutive Premier League crown, Guardiola remained realistic given recent results. 

  "After the results in the past to think about a big target would be a big mistake," Guardiola conceded. 

  "We need to beat a team close to us and take advantage to be closer to the top four. We are not far away from being the second team in the league, but it is all about consistency.

  "Liverpool as a team have been magnificent, and you just have to fight and win games. Step by step we have to move forward again."

  Despite enduring the longest winless run of his managerial career, Guardiola insisted that he was not feeling the pressure of the surrounding situation. 

  After winning 18 trophies across his eight full seasons as City boss, he is determined to battle on with the help of the supporters. 

  "The fans know what these guys have done over the last decade," he added. 

  "They know we need the support, the players are human beings and will try everything to change the dynamic.

  "We just have to play and think about the next one. I don't know another way. I don't feel sorry for myself."

  Guardiola did, however, insist that his side would be a lot higher in the table if he had a fully fit squad to choose from. 

  City have been without several players for much of the campaign, including long-term injury absentee Rodri, who is eyeing a return to action before the season is out. 

  "With all the squad this season we would be close to our level we reached last season," Guardiola said. 

  "In January we will talk internally as it depends on the situation we are in at that moment."

  It was confirmed by Guardiola on Tuesday that John Stones would miss the visit of Nuno Espirito Santo's side, while Kevin De Bruyne is nearing full fitness. 

• ‘Innocent until proven otherwise’: Gateway Athletics take soft stance in Director's arrest on gun-trafficking charge

  Gateway Athletics International has issued a statement expressing confidence in the innocence of its managing director, Shem Alexander, who was arrested in Jamaica on allegations of gun and ammunition trafficking from the United States to Trinidad and Tobago.

  Alexander, a well-known figure in Trinidad and Tobago football circles with coaching experience in the T&T Premier Football League (TTPFL) for MIC Matura ReUnited, was detained on November 15 at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. His arrest followed an extradition request by United States authorities.

  On November 30, the Jamaica Observer reported that Alexander appeared in a Corporate Area court, where he provided written consent to be extradited to the United States to face trial.

  Gateway Athletics addressed the situation in a November 30 statement, revealing that Alexander had stepped aside from his duties to address the allegations.

  "Mr Alexander has taken a voluntary leave of (absence) as the managing director at Gateway Athletics in order to focus on treating the allegations before him. Mr Alexander has maintained his innocence in all of the allegations levelled against him and is eager to fully ventilate the issue in the right forum when the time is appropriate,” the statement said.

  The organization emphasized the principle of presumed innocence.

  “The same natural justice that applies to all also applies to Mr Alexander, that is, the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise. There is no further information we can give at this time, but we will update as necessary as information becomes available,” the statement added.

  Alexander has been a significant contributor to Trinidad and Tobago's football development. He previously managed St Augustine Secondary's football program and has played a key role in shaping youth football through his leadership at Gateway Athletics.

  Under his stewardship, Gateway has overseen the last three editions of the Republic Cup National Youth Football League, one of the nation's most prestigious youth tournaments.

  Additionally, Gateway has facilitated showcase events through the Republic Cup, giving young footballers an opportunity to perform before college coaches and scouts from abroad with the goal of earning scholarships.