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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.

• Chelsea can 'dominate English football' for a decade, says Maresca

  Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca believes the make-up of the Blues' squad gives them an opportunity to dominate English football for the next five to 10 years.

  Maresca's Stamford Bridge tenure has got off to an excellent start, with Chelsea sitting third in the Premier League – albeit nine points behind leaders Liverpool – ahead of Wednesday's trip to Southampton.

  The Italian has won 38 of his last 59 league games in charge of Chelsea and former club Leicester City overall (eight draws, 13 losses).

  Since the beginning of last season, no manager has won more such matches across England's top two tiers (level with Leeds United's Daniel Farke – excluding play-offs).

  The likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have starred for a young Chelsea side this campaign. Indeed, the 13 youngest starting XI's to be selected in the Premier League through 13 matchdays this term have all been by Chelsea.

  Having spent heavily on the recruitment of young talent in just over two years under the Todd Boehly regime, Maresca feels Chelsea are destined for big things.

  "What I said to the owners and the sporting directors the first time I met them, because of the age, and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that is going to dominate English football," he said.

   

  "This is what I said to the club the first time I met them. 

  "No matter who will be the manager, for the next five or 10 years, because of the age, the squad, you can dominate English football. I still think exactly the same.

  "In terms of a target, they didn't ask me for any target, only to try to build something important for the next years. I think we are [heading] in the right direction."

  The Opta supercomputer gave Chelsea just a 0.2% chance of winning the title before a ball was kicked this term, but their hopes are now marginally up at 0.6%.

  Maresca still feels this season is too early for his team to mount a title tilt, adding: "In terms of a personal target, I know you struggle to believe it but I'm not focused on [the] end of the season, next season, because it's not real."

• 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.