In a major setback for Jamaica’s women’s national football team, star forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw will be sidelined indefinitely due to an ongoing hamstring injury. This news has sent shockwaves through the team, as Shaw, widely regarded as one of the top strikers in women’s football, has been a driving force behind both her club, Manchester City, and the Reggae Girlz.
Shaw’s absence comes after a stellar season with Manchester City, where she claimed the Golden Boot in the 2024-2025 Women’s Super League despite missing nearly half of the campaign due to injury. The prolific striker scored 12 goals in just 14 appearances, a feat that earned her the coveted title for the second consecutive year. However, her hamstring strain, sustained during Manchester City’s League Cup defeat to Chelsea in March, has now forced her out of action for the foreseeable future, leaving both her club and country to navigate life without her.
For the Reggae Girlz, the timing couldn’t be worse. Shaw’s absence will be felt most acutely during the team’s upcoming international friendly against the United States on June 3 in St. Louis. The match marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2022 and will serve as a key part of Jamaica’s preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Head Coach Hubert Busby has expressed confidence that the team can rise to the occasion despite Shaw’s absence, acknowledging the critical role she plays but emphasising the opportunity for younger players to step up. “With regards to Bunny, we have to deal with what’s best for her,” Busby said. “Even with her not finishing the last six games of the season, she still won the Golden Boot. You can see how valuable she is to Manchester City and definitely how valuable she is to us.”
Busby knows that while Shaw’s impact cannot be replicated, the team must adapt. “Who else is going to step up in her absence? You can’t replace her, but we should be able to fill that void by continuing to play the way we want, using the players in different positions to stay true to our philosophy.”
The challenge doesn’t end with Shaw’s injury. The Reggae Girlz will also be without key veteran players Rebecca Spencer and Drew Spence, both of whom are recovering from injuries. Spencer’s absence, in particular, leaves a void in the goalkeeper position, while Spence’s leadership in midfield will be sorely missed. However, Busby remains optimistic, viewing these absences as an opportunity for other players to showcase their skills on the world stage.
“Becky will be a huge miss as she’s still dealing with an injury. We hope to have her back for the England game, but we’re not going to risk players who are coming off a long season,” Busby explained. “Without these veterans, we’ll see how the younger players handle the pressure of facing top-tier teams. It’s a chance for them to step up and prove themselves.”
As Jamaica heads into a challenging stretch of high-profile fixtures, including the upcoming friendlies against the United States and England, Busby stresses that the focus is on growth and resilience. “These games aren’t just about winning; they’re about gaining experience and trying new things. We have strengths and weaknesses, and these matches will help us progress.”
Despite the hurdles, Busby remains confident that the Reggae Girlz will continue to evolve. “By the end of the year, we shouldn’t fear anyone. We’ll have faced some of the toughest teams in the world, and that’s invaluable for our development.”
While the loss of Shaw, Spencer, and Spence is a significant blow, the Reggae Girlz will look to their depth and the emergence of new talents to carry the team forward.