Grenada are looking for their first win in the CONCACAF Nations League when they host Jamaica on Thursday. The Reggae Boyz overcame an early 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Haiti at home. The Spice Boys overcame an easy 4-0 defeat against Honduras to fall to the bottom of that group.
Preview (Grenada vs. Jamaica)
Grenada has had a month to reflect on what went wrong in their previous Nations League match. They were completely outplayed by Honduras and failed to record a single shot on target. They had only 27% of the possession and made more passes than La H (652-238). This was the team’s fourth goalless performance in six away games in this competition, and they now return home. They have scored in each of their home games in the Nations League so far.
Grenada has only lost once (7-1 against the USA) in its previous six Nations League home games. On matchday one of this season’s League A, the Spice Boys came within two minutes of defeating Suriname after taking the lead in the 85th minute. This team has only lost at home to a Caribbean nation once since October 2022. They fell to Saint Lucia 2-1 in a friendly in March 2023. Grenada has only allowed multiple goals in one of their three games under Connor. They have allowed 10 in three League A home games. On matchday two’s first hour, Jamaica didn’t exactly appear like the group favorites.
The Reggae Boyz, however, rallied at halftime and continued to make progress, cutting the deficit in half with an own goal a few minutes after the break before tying the game from the spot a few minutes later to maintain their unbeaten home record in this competition. Outside of Jamaica, this team hasn’t performed nearly as well; since joining League A in 2022–23, they’ve gone the distance just once, losing to Suriname (1–1), and once, losing to Mexico (2-2). The Jamaicans, though, have never lost a Nations League match and had never trailed in any of their games at this tournament before being shocked by the Haitians early on.
Team News
From matchday one to matchday two of the Nations League, Connor made two adjustments to Grenada’s starting eleven, replacing Jacob Bedeau and captain Saydrel Lewis with Mackell Ganness and Steffon Abraham. In this Nations League window, their 21-man squad will include a number of players from Queens Park Rangers. Benjamin Ettienne, Trevon Williams, and Deon Phillip all play for the Rangers’ Grenada-based team. Kayden Harrack works in the Championship for the more well-known QPR. He currently plays for their Under-21 squad.
Lewis is the only Grenada player to score at the Nations League this season. His goal for the Spice Boys on matchday one was the seventh of his career. It moved him into a tie for sixth place all-time with Jake Rennie and Keith Fletcher. Jason Belfon has given up five goals in two League A games this season. On matchday two, captain Andre Blake made his first start of the new Nations League season against Haiti. He gave up two goals quickly, but an own goal by Ricardo Ade pulled the Reggae Boyz back into the game. Bobby Decordova-Reid scored the equalizer from the penalty spot seven minutes from the end. The only three Jamaican players to have played in all six of their League A matches in this campaign are Leon Bailey, Damion Lowe, and Javain Brown, with Shamar Nicholson making five appearances.
Grenada, who struggled to contain an inexperienced Honduran strike force, should face a significant challenge from the Jamaican attack, strengthened by Antonio. It is also difficult to imagine the Spice Boys stopping the Reggae Boyz, who on paper are much better than most CONCACAF teams.
Grenada 0 – 5 Jamaica
For more football previews, click here
