THE EDITOR, Sir:

I want to congratulate our national football team, Reggae Boyz, on their recent football victory over the United States last Friday at the National Stadium. This victory came at a significant and historic moment - following the celebration of our 50th Independence anniversary.

When I looked around the stadium and saw the large support of spectators at the match, I realised that football is the greatest unifying force in Jamaica, and possibly the world. The spectators were all in a celebratory mood blowing vuvuzelas, singing, talking, joking, sharing and laughing. It was an evening of conviviality and 'one love'.

Before the match, pessimists had told me that it made no sense going to the match because it was a foregone conclusion that the United States would win. I thought otherwise, very optimistic, because I knew that the celebration of our 50th anniversary, as well as the athletes' recent performance at the Olympics, would serve as a motivating factor.

This victory over the USA has provided a morale boost to our footballers. Now that we have shown that we can beat USA at the highest level, the rest of world will pay us more respect on and off the field. We likkle but we tallawah.

Congratulations, Reggae Boyz, we are on a mission to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

JAMES MCNISH

mcnish_james@yahoo.com