SMART PLAY

JAMAICA’S Reggae Boyz will be in action at the National Stadium tonight, hosting Guatemala in their Concacaf Nations League A opener at 7:00 pm. Interim head coach Rudolph Speid says the main goal for his team is to play smart, adapt, and do the basics well. “It’s a performance where we do everything correctly as the needs arise,” Speid said during a pre-match press conference on Thursday morning. “What we have tried to do is to talk about adaptability. So, whatever needs to be done, we’ll be doing it. We’re going to try to play properly — we’ll do what we have to do in the right moments.” Speid, who was in charge on an interim basis for the World Cup play-offs in Mexico last March, and the Unity Cup in London in May, returned on an interim basis last month but he has had only three days of training with the squad in this international window. He dismissed concerns about the short preparation window and questions about his own coaching future. “It is what it is; we have three days in training so we just made the best use of it,” Speid said. “That [my future] is not important at the moment. What is important is that we try and win these four games.”

Jamaica’s Renaldo Cephas (right) takes on the Bermuda pair of Justin Donawa (centre) and Kane Crichlow during the FIFA World Cup qualifying football match at the National Stadium on October 14, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

While Speid focuses on tactical execution, tonight carries deep personal significance for midfielder Courtney Clarke. The Walsall midfielder grew up in the community of Hazard in May Pen. After showing his capabilities to overseas fans during the Unity Cup, tonight marks his first opportunity to play a senior international match on home soil in front of his family. “I’d say I’m more than ready now; I’ve been waiting for a while,” Clarke said. “The Unity Cup gave me the confidence to show the Jamaican fans in England [what I can do]. Now I’m going to be on home soil and show everybody. Everybody’s been working harder, pushing everybody and the goal is to get it done.” For Clarke, lining up at “The Office” is a milestone moment in his career, and one he hopes to mark with a win. Addressing the team’s recent lack of goals is another primary focus for Speid. Instead of changing the entire tactical system, he wants his players to move better off the ball. “Usually, when you’re not scoring goals, it’s usually the movements that are the problem,” Speid said. “So we have been working on that and we hope that with better movements from the attackers, we’ll be able to score goals.” Jamaica will be without winger Leon Bailey due to an ankle injury. He has been replaced by Jahmarie Nolan. Speid sees Bailey’s absence as an opportunity for younger wide players like Renaldo Cephas, Kaheim Dixon, and Tyreece Campbell to step up. “Jamaica has a lot of talented players so once Leon is not available, it gives another player an opportunity to come into the team,” Speid said. “There are a lot of players champing at the bit. So, while it’s bad in one sense, it’s still good for us to expose other players.” Jamaica has extra motivation tonight after losing 1-0 to Guatemala in their last official meeting at the Concacaf Gold Cup last year under previous head coach Steve McClaren. Óscar Santis scored the winner in that match. Speid respects Guatemala’s playing style but says his team is ready for the challenge. “We recognise that they’re a tough team, they like to play with the ball at their feet,” Speid said. “So they have some strengths, but we’re aware of what those strengths are.” Speid says the squad is focused on getting the right result tonight. “They’re very motivated,” he said. “It’s a new-look squad, but I think we have the right players here to go forward.”   Squad Goalkeepers Andre Blake (captain), Shaquan Davis, Amal Knight Defenders Ronaldo Webster, Christopher Ainsworth, Joel Latibeaudiere, Tayvon Gray, Richard King, Damion Lowe, Miguel Freckleton Midfielders Isaac Hayden, Kasey Palmer, Courtney Clarke, Karoy Anderson, Dwayne Atkinson, Leon Bailey, Brandon Cover Forwards Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri, Javon East, Renaldo Cephas, Tyreece Campbell, Rumarn Burrell, Kaheim Dixon, Andre Brooks