I'd like to say big up to the Reggae Boyz for their two morale-boosting wins in the World Cup qualifiers.

Who knows, with more good play and a little help from our good friends Mexico (no hard feelings about beating you, right amigos?), we could be moving on to the final round of qualification. If we get there and continue to play well, Mama Africa here we come.

But like I said, we'll need some help from the Aztec warriors, so pardon me while I call my bredren Sven-Goran Eriksson, Mexico's coach.

The call

Phone rings.

Eriksson: Hello?

Me: Hey coach, Daviot Kelly here.

Eriksson: Who?

Me: Oh right, we've never actually met but, I work for The Gleaner Company in Jamaica.

Eriksson: How did you get my number?

Me: The logistics are really unimportant at the moment, but I really want to talk to you about the Honduras game.

Eriksson: I am not saying anything to reporters right now.

Me: Oh no, I'm not asking about game plans, I'm just wishing you well.

Eriksson: Er ... thanks, but this is really unconventional. I...

Me: C'mon coach everybody needs a little encouragement.

Eriksson: Are you delusional?

Me: Not last I checked, no. But I just wanted to make sure you knew we Jamaicans are rooting for you.

Eriksson: Wait a minute! If we win and you win, then we both go through!

Me: Exactly coach! That's why I'm saying good luck. So don't mess this up for us!

Eriksson: Excuse me!? (slightly angry).

Me: Um, I mean don't do anything stupid. No wait ...

Eriksson: What? (angrier).

Me: Okay, I might have chosen the wrong words.

Eriksson: Good day! (phone slams)

Me: Coach? Coach? Hello?

That didn't go well. I called Canadian Prime Minister Steven Harper earlier, but his aides said I should just leave a message. I thanked him for drawing with Mexico (meaning the Mexicans will have to, at the very least, play with some energy against Honduras).

One Love mentality

Of course, if Mexico and Honduras draw, both of them have a better goal difference than we do. When they win, it's by two or three goals. We have a Bob Marley mentality; One Love every game. We would have to beat Canada (who remember, did us a favour) by about four goals to qualify if there's a draw in the other game. Talk about biting the hand that fed us! Oh well, that's life!

Anyway, if the Boyz pull off this great escape, we would make Harry Houdini look like a lame circus sideshow act. Plus it would remind us that together, we can overcome anything, even the most demanding social and economic crises. Go Boyz!

Root for the team at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.