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Bob Marley's daughter helps Jamaica qualify for Women's World Cup

The Reggae Girlz will play at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup.

Cedella Marley and the Reggae Girlz.
Cedella Marley and the Reggae Girlz. Source: Getty

Jamaica qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup, a sporting fairy tale that's thanks in part to the daughter of Bob Marley.

The team, known in the tiny Caribbean nation as the Reggae Girlz, has faced years of financial woes and was even briefly disbanded in 2008.

But in 2014, Cedella Marley was brought on as the team's ambassador and their fortunes soon turned. 

Ms Marley, a daughter of the country's most famous singer, said at the time she was shocked how little attention the women's team was receiving, compared to the men's team.

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"[The Jamaica Football Federation] has just been concentrating on the men's program. The girls have always been left to fend for themselves. But as women, we're used to doing that. Nothing new," she said, adding that a World Cup qualification would be a dream come true. 

After several years of major fundraising efforts spearheaded by Ms Marley, that dream became a reality this week, when the Reggae Girlz defeated Panama on penalties in the CONCACAF Women's Championship third place playoff.

The Panama and Jamaica game.
The Panama and Jamaica game. Source: Getty

The team's coach Hue Menzie made special mention of Ms Marley after the game.

"Big up to Cedella Marley for putting her neck on the line for us," Mr said.

But the win was far from easy, with the Reggae Girlz twice taking the lead only to have Panama equalise twice.

Ms Marley told BBC after the game that "there were a couple of moments when I had to leave the room [watching the match] because I was going light-headed".

"I went outside and started to meditate. By the time the last penalty went in we were all on the floor. Daddy would probably not be surprised, when I put my foot into something stuff happens. He'd be like, 'that's my girl'."

The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup will be held in France from 7 June to 7 July. Australia is one of 18 other nations that have also qualified.


2 min read

Published

Updated

By Nick Baker



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