By Paul Ejime
NIGERIA’s SUPER Eagles on Saturday, 31 May 2025, retained the Africa-Caribbean Football Unity Cup, after edging Jamaica 4-5 on penalties.
The thrilling final at the Gtech Community Stadium in west London ended 2-2 in regulation time.
Simon opened scoring for the Super Eagles in the 9th minute, but his goal was cancelled out three minutes later by Jamaica’s Dixon on the 12th.
It was 1-1 at half-time, and on resumption, Chukwueze restored the lead in the 53rd minute for the Malian Eric Chelle-coached Super Eagles.
The Reggae Boys of Jamaica managed by Steve McClaren equalised 10 minutes later to end the game 2-2 after 90 minutes.
In the shoot-out that ensued, the two goalkeepers did not have much to do. While the Eagles scored all five spot-kicks, Atkinson blasted Jamaica’s 4th off the top of the bar and over.
His compatriot Bell scored his penalty before Uche made it 5-4 for Nigeria.
To reach the final on Saturday, the Super Eagles beat their arch-rivals Black Stars of Ghana, 2-1 in the semi-final earlier this week, while the Jamaican Reggae Boys dispatched Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 to set up the finale.
The Black Stars hammered their Trinidadian counterparts 4-0 in the third-place match earlier on Saturday at the same venue.
Launched in 2002, the Unity Cup tournament was originally designed as a friendly showcase of African and Caribbean football excellence, uniting top nations in celebration of sport and cultural heritage.
Nigeria beat Jamaica 1-0 in the maiden edition that featured only the two countries.
The second edition in 2004 was played on a round robin format featuring three countries – Nigeria, the Republic of Ireland and Jamaica – with Nigeria again emerging victorious.
The competition has now been revived, re-branded, and expanded, featuring four teams in 2025 – Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – to restore the original pan-African and Caribbean idea.
It is the first trophy for Chelle, who was recruited last January as manager of the Super Eagles, who are struggling to qualify for the men’s FIFA World Cup tournament to be co-hosted by the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico in 2026.
