While some of the big hitters and tournament favourites are heading home, Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco are taking their places in the first round of knock-out competition in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as a new world order is taking place during this tectonic shift in the game.
Olympic champions Canada, plus much-fancied Brazil and Germany failed to get past the first-round group stage, whilst names like the Reggae Girls’ Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, the Banyana Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana and the Lionesses of Atlas’ Anissa Lahmari created a new narrative in the game for country’s whose positions in the world game was never anywhere near the main pages of the sports media. That has, however, changed massively
After reaching the European Championships final last year, second ranked, two-time winners Germany were expected to go deep in this tournament, as were the internationally celebrated Marta—led South American champions, as too their gloried continental neighbours.
With no financial backing, and very little support elsewhere, the Jamaican national women’s football team made the headlines for its financial struggles in recent months. In June, the team publicised its “utmost disappointment” with the Jamaica Football Federation in a letter shared on social media.
Cedella Marley, the daughter of Bob and Rita (Marley), spoken out about the lack of funding, support and widespread recognition for the Reggae Girlz over the years. In 2014, she became an ambassador for the team, which had remained dormant for years due to a lack of funding.
Following their qualification from the group stages, in Australia and New Zealand, former England striker Ian Wright, in a social media conversation with Shaw, created their mantra during the tournament: “Fins A Way!” which is something they, as with their African counterparts… one thing’s sure, and that’s exactly what they will be going all out to do.
