For Shamar Nicholson, Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz’ 1-0 loss to Mexico of their Copa America opener was a bittersweet event.
The match marked his fiftieth worldwide look for the nation. Whereas Nicholson would have liked to have fun this important milestone with a victory, the result left him reflecting on what might have been.
Nicholson’s journey in soccer started at Trench City Excessive Faculty and blossomed at Boys’ City Soccer Membership. Now, he’s one in all Jamaica’s top-rated strikers. Over 50 video games, Nicholson has tallied 19 targets and received three medals: silver on the 2017 Caribbean Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup, and a historic bronze on the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League.
“Yeah, it was a particular second,” Nicholson declared in a latest interview with Jamaica Soccer Federation (JFF) media. “It’s only a pity that we didn’t get to win to make it extra particular, however it was a proud second for me and my household, my mates, teaching employees, and everybody who has supported me alongside the way in which throughout dangerous occasions and good occasions. So it was actually a proud second,” he added.
Willpower and arduous work
Nicholson’s rise to turning into one in all Jamaica’s key gamers has been marked by dedication and arduous work. Although a person of few phrases, the 27-year-old’s achievements on the worldwide stage are a testomony to his dedication and expertise, as his true character involves mild when the ball is at his toes.
– Commercial –
Since making his debut in 2017, the towering striker has develop into a mainstay within the senior Reggae Boyz group, because of his scoring prowess and bodily presence on the sector, which makes him a continuing risk to opponents.
Nicholson’s membership profession has taken him to Slovenia, Belgium, Russia, and now France. In Slovenia, he scored 18 targets for Domzale, and later tallied 30 targets for Belgian outfit Charleroi. He then moved to Spartak Moscow, the place he netted eight targets and received the Russian Cup, earlier than being loaned out to French Ligue 1 facet Clermont, the place he has scored 4 targets to this point.
Every league and membership supplied totally different challenges, however for Nicholson, the experiences had been worthwhile contributions to his improvement. “Sure, I’ll say culture-wise (France and Belgium are considerably comparable), however I feel it was additionally a very good expertise, you recognize, as a result of the extent is excessive and actually bodily, and it additionally challenges you mentally. So I feel it was a very good expertise and I discovered so much,” Nicholson shared.
– Commercial –
Purpose dominated out for offside
Regardless of the defeat to Mexico in a eager contest the place Michail Antonio had a purpose dominated out for offside and the Boyz squandered a couple of good possibilities, Nicholson believes there have been positives to take from the sport. He stays optimistic and targeted on the challenges forward, notably the upcoming conflict towards Ecuador.
He emphasised the significance of staying constructive and targeted, because the Heimir Hallgrimsson-coached Boyz hunt for his or her historic first purpose and, by extension, their first level on the prestigious Copa America match.
The Reggae Boyz have proven in earlier tournaments that they’ll bounce again from setbacks, and Nicholson is assured they are going to achieve this once more. Hallgrimsson’s facet is at the moment on the foot of Group B with out a level, a statistic they hope to vary with a victory over Ecuador on Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium. They may then shut out the group stage towards present leaders Venezuela on Sunday.
“The vibe is correct, you recognize, everyone seems to be constructive regardless of the loss (towards Mexico), and all of us have a constructive mindset. So, it’s simply to take issues step-by-step. You understand, we put together in coaching, so it’s simply to go there and imagine, and I feel we’re prepared for that recreation,” Nicholson concluded.
