Christantus Uche convert the winning penalty as Nigeria beat Jamaica 5-4 in a shootout to win the Unity Cup, defending the title they had won 19 years ago. The friendly tournament was hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium and staged for the first time since 2004, when the Super Eagles first got their hands on the trophy.
They did so again here, as after a 2-2 draw in normal time the shootout began with six perfect penalties. Jamaica’s Dwayne Atkinson then stepped up and smashed his effort off the top of the bar and over. Amari'i Bell made no mistake with his spot-kick to keep Jamaica in it, but Uche had the decisive moment as he calmly slotted home to start the Nigerian celebrations.
It had been an entertaining 90 minutes in west London. Moses Simon put Nigeria in front inside ten minutes, finishing from close range after Cyriel Dessers had put a dangerous ball into the middle, but Kaheim Dixon equalised almost immediately. It remained level heading into the break, before Samuel Chukwueze worked the ball onto his left foot and drilled a finish into the bottom corner. Jamaica equalised for a second time just after the hour mark through Jonathan Russell, as the final went to penalties and Atkinson’s missed prove decisive.
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Ghana comfortably saw off Trinidad and Tobago 4-0 early today to secure third place in the 2025 Unity Cup.
A relatively inexperienced Black Stars squad was inspired by a stellar performance from captain Jordan Ayew, who opened the scoring mere minutes into the afternoon’s proceedings with a curling effort from outside the box.
The Leicester City forward then delivered the corner which was headed home by defender Razak Simpson six minutes later, before laying the ball off for Mohammed Fuseini to rifle in a third of the match before half-time.
Ayew, who had several other chances throughout his hour-long appearance, was in the area again just prior to his second-half withdrawal but this time wasn’t needed as Lawrence Agyekum’s effort from a tight angle squeezed through the legs of Jabari St Hillaire, taking a deflection off the Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper on its way into the net.
Nigeria won the Unity Cup in 2004... and they’ve done it again in 2025!
They’ve had to wait nearly two decades, but the Super Eagles have defended their crown.
No other country has other won this competition.
Nigeria win the penalty shootout 5-4!
All eyes on Uche. Can he win it for Nigeria?
Yes he can!
Nigeria win the Unity Cup!
GOAL! Jamaica 4-4 Nigeria
Well then... Bell has to score.
And he does. Just. Lifted past the goalkeeper, who initially looked to have got there.
Nigeria with a spot-kick to win it.
GOAL! Jamaica 3-4 Nigeria
Onyemaechi dispatches his spot-kick and there’s a huge roar!
Nigeria within touching distance of victory.
MISS! Jamaica 3-3 Nigeria
Atkinson takes his time.. and then smashes it off the top of the bar and over!
He stands there stunned for about ten seconds.
GOAL! Jamaica 3-3 Nigeria
Arokodare with a brilliant spot-kick.
Lifts it towards the top corner, in off the woodwork. No saving that.
GOAL! Jamaica 3-2 Nigeria
Over to Morrison, as the pressure starts to build.
Goalkeeper does guess correctly this time but there’s enough power on it.
GOAL! Jamaica 2-2 Nigeria
Simon basically walks up to the ball, but still good enough to find the corner.
Neither goalkeeper has gone the right way yet.
GOAL! Jamaica 2-1 Nigeria
Hayden... whips his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Three good penalties so far.