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Sometimes sports imitate life. Sometime sports imitate politics. Today, Jamaica and Cuba were like the old days; the days of Michael Manley and Fidel Castro, the days of socialism in Jamaica, the days when Jamaica’s motto could have easily been “Jamaica no problem”, the days when Jamaica flourished, the day’s when Jamaica could turn to Cuba for an helping hand and vice versa, the days many Jamaicans are longing for.

Today was such as day, but it was in sports, not politics. The young U-17 Reggae Boyz of Jamaica needed a helping hand from Cuba’s U-17 National Football Team. The Jamaicans needed Cuba to either beat or draw with the Guatemalans. Cuba delivered and Jamaica is happy.

Had Guatemala defeated Cuba, the Jamaicans would have found themselves in a very tough spot. They would have needed to defeat the United States U-17 National Football team, a team which has yet to lose in the 2015 CONCACAF World Cup qualifier.

Thanks to Cuba, Jamaica will still play the United States in a somewhat meaningless game. Jamaican cannot finish less than third in their group but they can also finish second, which means they will be playing the second or third place team from the other group. If Jamaica can beat the opponent from the other group; which most likely will be Canada, Panama or Costa Rica then off to the U-17 World Cub they go.

Thanks to Cuba for making this possible. Doing this without Cuba’s help would almost be impossible as Jamaica does not have nearly the budget that the United States has to invest in youth football.

Thanks Cuba! Go Reggae Boyz.