Embattled striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was omitted from Jamaica’s squad to face Peru in Lima on February 23 and 26.

Shaw had only just made a return to competitive football after sitting out a couple of games following online racial abuse.

Reggae Girlz head coach, Hubert Busby while announcing his squad, said they were pleased to have secured these two matches against another quality opposition in Peru.

“It gives us an opportunity to play a team, very similar to some of the teams that we may encounter in CONCACAF during the World Cup qualifiers,” Busby pointed out. “It’s another opportunity for us to continue to cement our playing model and principles and for us to continue to build on the positive results we had from the last camp.”

The 28-year-old Shaw is Jamaica’s all-time top scorer, male or female with 44 goals from 57 matches but coach Busby saw it as another opportunity to look at other players.

“The most important thing is in terms of Bunny’s health. Yesterday (Sunday) was her first, start in 2025. She’s been out for a while and she’s had like limited minutes. She’s still a little bit on restrictions,” said Busby.

Shaw made her return with two goals in Manchester Cit’s 4-0 win over Liverpool and Busby was more than pleased seeing that she was recovering from an injury. “It was great to see her start and get her two goals yesterday. She needed some time and Man City supported her taking the time. She made that decision to come back in due course and she was back in flying colours,” he noted. “So, we’re looking forward to doing that and looking forward to integrating some players back into the group who’ve been away.”

Busby has named a strong Reggae Girlz team that has moved up two places to 40 in the FIFA World ranking to face the South Americans ranked 76^th.

Two debutants were called up in defenders Jazmin Ferguson of Louisiana State University and Nyema Ingleton of the University of West Virginia in what is a good blend of experience and youngsters.

• The squad:
  Goalkeepers: Rebecca Spencer, Aliyah Morgan, Liya Brooks.
• Defenders: Allyson Swaby, Chantelle Swaby, Naya Cardoza, Siobhan Wilson, Jazmin Ferguson, Deneisha Blackwood, Kameron Simmonds, Nyema Ingleton.
• Midfielders: Atlanta Primus, Njeri Butts, Amelia Van Zanten, Drew Spence, Jade Bailey, Olufolasade Adamolekun.
• Forwards: Tiffany Cameron, Kayla McKenna, Shaniel Buckley, Jody Brown, Reanna Blades, Ricshya Walker.