Nigeria defeat Jamaica on penalties to retain Unity Cup

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Jamaica 5-4 on penalties to win the Unity Cup at the Brentford FC Stadium in London on Saturday.

The Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes as Eric Chelle’s side pegged back after going ahead twice through Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze, before triumphing in the shootout.

Victory means Nigeria defended her Unity Cup title in the second edition, with the West African nation adding to their 2004 triumph.

Benjamin Frederick and Felix Agu were handed Super Eagles debuts, with Cyril Dessers retaining his starting berth upfront alongside Simon and Chukwueze.

Nigeria took the lead on 9 minutes through Simon. The winger was in the box to finish off Dessers’ low cross at the near post for 1-0.

The lead lasted only three minutes as Kaheim Dixon slotted into an empty net at the back post from a low cross that evaded everyone including Stanley Nwabali, allowing Jamaica back into the game at 1-1.

Both sides could not add further goals and went into the break level, but Nigeria regained the lead on 54 minutes through Chukwueze. The AC Milan winger, playing in an improvised number 10 role, held off the attention of three Jamaican players before hitting a low drive into the far post for 2-1 to Nigeria.

The Raggae Boys equalized a second time on 64 minutes through John Russell. Another inviting cross from the left wing caught the defenders napping, and allowed Russell slot beyond a helpless Nwabali for 2-2.

Both nations could not find the winner and needed penalty shootouts to be separated.

Dwayne Atkinson’s kick hit the crossbar to miss for Jamaica before Christantus Uche scored the fifth penalty to win it for Eagles 5-4.

The trophy is also a first title for Chelle as Super Eagles coach.