‘Even more proud to be Jamaican’: Reggae Girlz defy the odds to reach World Cup knockout | Women’s World Cup 2023
When Jamaica knocked football superpower Brazil out of the Women’s World Cup last week it was not even 7am in Kingston. But the early hour was not enough to dampen the celebrations as the team – ranked 43rd in the world – became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to have made it to the knockout round. Now, as the Reggae Girlz prepare to face Colombia in their first-ever match in the knockout stage, football fans on the island are hoping that the team – which has already overcome underfunding, indifference and sexual abuse scandals – will be able to keep up the momentum, both on and off the pitch. Iyana Campbell, 18, originally from Spanish Town, said the team’s progress made her “even more proud to be Jamaican”. Campbell, who is studying at Lamar Community College in Colorado, said the Reggae Girlz success was an inspiration to upcoming Jamaican female footballers like her. “Knowing that the Girlz had to go out there and show up and they did just that, it now gives me a …