Eagles Aim for Reggae Boyz Fall to Retain Unity Cup as Summer Consolation

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who are not among the ten African teams qualified for next month’s FIFA World Cup, still have a reason to celebrate if they can defeat Jamaica for a second consecutive time and keep the four‑nation Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London tomorrow.

What is troubling the coaching staff, however, is that Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon and Adams Akor have not yet arrived. The Eagles trained at Cray Valley without the trio and are scheduled for an official session today at Charlton Athletic Stadium (The Valley) in London.

All three players are expected to be in camp for the Reggae Boyz match on Saturday.

The under‑strength Super Eagles’ 2‑0 win over Zimbabwe on Tuesday night has reinforced Head Coach Eric Chelle’s confidence in his squad’s ability to retain the Unity Cup.

With a few adjustments to personnel, tactics and pattern, Chelle hopes to bring the trophy back to Lagos.

Attention now turns to new signing Femi Azeez, who scored a brace against Zimbabwe. The 24‑year‑old Millwall winger has already earned praise from the Eagles’ staff, who see him as a capable replacement for Ademola Lookman in Nigeria’s starting XI.

Azeez’s confident performance against Zimbabwe has pleased the technical team, and much is expected of him tomorrow against a Jamaican side that nearly dominated the books last summer.

The Super Eagles and the Reggae Boyz drew 2‑2 in the final of the same mini‑tournament on Saturday, 31 May 2025, before the Eagles won 5‑4 on penalties to retain the trophy they had first won in 2002 and 2004 – the only two times the competition had been held previously.

The Unity Cup’s inaugural edition in 2002 featured only two teams, with Nigeria defeating Jamaica by a single goal scored by former Nigeria U17 captain James Obiorah.

In 2004, the Republic of Ireland joined the two teams, but Nigeria remained champions, with Bartholomew Ogbeche finishing as the top scorer with three goals.

That same year, Obafemi Martins made his mark by scoring on his debut for Nigeria.

On Saturday, Coach Chelle will have the opportunity to experiment further with the largely fresh squad he has brought to London. Wrexham FC goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who kept a clean sheet against the Warriors on Tuesday, is likely to start.

The solid backline of Chibueze Oputa, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu and Obinna Igboke could also be retained, following a commendable outing against Zimbabwe.

It is worth noting that at last year’s Unity Cup, Igoh Ogbu, who plays for Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, earned his first major league appearance for the Eagles.

Tochukwu Nnadi, who contributed to the Super Eagles’ campaign at the last Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, may again pair with US‑based defender Alhassan Yusuf and former U17 captain Samson Tijani in midfield, while Terem Moffi, Philip Otele and Azeez lead the attack.

Cyprus‑based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is also available, as are midfielder Tosin Oyedokun and forwards Owen Oseni and Rafiu Durosinmi, who impressed as substitutes on Tuesday.