Lowe boosts Reggae Boyz for Nigeria clash

KINGSTON:  Jamaica’s national team will benefit from the presence of striker Onandi Lowe in Sunday’s international friendly against Nigeria, the country’s football federation said.

The power forward has not played for Jamaica since February, when he scored in a 1-2 home loss to the United States. The Jamaica Football Federation announced in a statement yesterday that he would rejoin the squad for the friendly in Kingston. Lowe, who has scored 20 goals in 68 appearances for Jamaica, spent most of this season playing for Rushden and Diamonds in the English Third Division, helping the team gain promotion to the Second Division. Sunday’s match is the Reggae Boyz’ third against the Nigerians in a year. In May 2002, Nigeria defeated them 1-0 in London, while the teams drew 0-0 in Lagos in November.

Lowe’s Rushden and Diamonds strike partner, Paul Hall, is also in the squad with seven other players who play in the English leagues. Defender Tyrone Marshall of the Los Angeles Galaxy and midfielder Andrew Williams of the Chicago Fire were also named to the team, which is preparing for the Gold Cup tournament in the United States and Mexico City in July. In other recent matches, Jamaica played to a 0-0 draw with South Africa in Cape Town on April 30, and lost 1-2 to English Premier League team Birmingham City in London on May 14.