A brilliant finish from Moses Simon opened the scoring in the 2025 Unity Cup Final at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, but Jamaica quickly equalised in the 12th minute through Dixon Kaheim, Soccernet.ng reports.
Eric Chelle's side were dominant in the first half, but for a slip-up which led to Jamaica's equaliser. Samuel Chukwueze put the Super Eagles back in front in the second half, but Jonathan Russell levelled the scores shortly after.
A penalty shootout decided the game. While all of Nigeria's shooters found the back of the net, Jamaica's Dwanye Atkinson hit the crossbar.
Soccernet.ng rates the performance of the Nigerian players as they secured the 2025 Unity Cup trophy.
Nigeria celebrate after a goal by Samuel Chukwueze after his goal during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
Nigeria celebrate winning the Unity Cup during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].1. Stanley Nwabali 6.7/10: The Chippa United goalkeeper could have done better to save Jamaica's first goal, but there wasn't much he could do for the second goal. Bar those two attempts, the Jamaicans didn't really threaten.
2. Sodiq Ismaila 5.8/10: The Remo Stars full-back on his second start for the Super Eagles didn't have a good game. The two crosses that led to Jamaica's goals came off the inability of the right-back to close down his man.
Sodiq Ismaila during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium. [Photo Credit/ Imago].3. Igor Ogbu 6.2/10: The Slavia Prague central defender was decent again tonight, but like the entire back four, could've done better to prevent both Jamaica's goals
4. Benjamin Fredrick 6.5 /10: The Brentford defender put in a decent shift on his Super Eagles debut at his club's home ground. His last-ditch tackle in the 65th minute kept Nigeria in the game, and the 20-year-old has surely registered his name in Eric Chelle's heart.
Benjamin Fredrick is in a reflective mood after winning the Unity Cup after the Final match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].5. Felix Agu 6.2 /10: The Werder Bremen full-back, on his highly anticipated debut for the Nigerian National team, had a fair performance, although he could have done better defensively for both of Jamaica's goals.
6. Frank Onyeka 6.2/10: Back home in front of the Brentford crowd at the Gtech Community Stadium, Onyeka, like Ndidi, didn't help the Nigerian defence close down the spaces in the middle of the park. Offensively, he didn't offer much.
Frank Onyeka during the Unity Cup Final match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium. [Photo Credit/ Imago].7. Wilfred Ndidi 6.5/10: The Leicester City midfielder came close to scoring his debut Nigerian goal in the 90th minute, but his attempt was just wide. Overall, he had a decent outing, although he could've helped Nigeria control the tempo better.
Referee, Stuart Atwall, gives Jamaica midfielder Kasey Palmer a yellow card for a bad foul during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025. [Photo Credit/ Imago].8. Nathan Tella 6/10: The Bayer 04 Leverkusen winger, on his second appearance for the Super Eagles, looked out of position and struggled to impress. He made way for Tolu Arokodare in the 65th minute.
Richard King and Nathan Tella during the Unity Cup Final match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].9. Moses Simon 6.9/10: The FC Nantes winger broke the deadlock with a deft finish in the 9th minute and tried to create chances, but the Jamaican defence maintained their resolve. However, he faded as the game went on.
Moses Daddy Simon during the Unity Cup Final match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].10. Cyriel Dessers 7/10: The Rangers' goalscorer created the first goal for Moses Simon, and linked up very well with Arokodare when the Genk man came off the bench. Dessers made way for Christantus Uche in the 75th minute.
Cyriel Dessers protests after a tackle during the Unity Cup London 2025 match between Ghana and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].11. Samuel Chukwueze 7.4/10: Eric Chelle might be the first manager to get the best out of the AC Milan winger. Another performance through the middle for the former Villareal man, and he looked unplayable. His well-drilled shot in the second half showed the fleet-footed winger is chock-full of confidence under Nigeria's new manager. He made way for Kelechi Iheanacho with seven minutes left on the clock.
Substitutes
Tolu Arokodare 5.8/10: Came on for his third Super Eagles game, and immediately made his impact felt by mustering four attempts on goal, none of which were on target. He scored a brilliant penalty in the shoot-out.
Christantus Uche 6/10: The Getafe midfielder replaced Cyriel Dessers in the 75th minute, and his strength was useful as he attempted to create chances in his time on the pitch. His composure in the penalty shoot-out saw him score the decisive spot kick on his Super Eagles debut.
Nigeria manager Eric Chelle during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium. [Photo Credit/ Imago].Kelechi Iheanacho 5.8/10: The former Leicester City attacker came off the bench in the 83rd minute for his 58th Super Eagles cap, replacing Samuel Chukwueze. He stung the palms of the Jamaican goalkeeper late in the second half, before finding the back of the net in the penalty shoot-out.
Kelechi Iheanacho and Dwayne Atkinson during the Unity Cup Final, London 2025 match between Jamaica and Nigeria at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford. [Photo Credit/ Imago].Bruno Onyemaechi: Replaced Felix Agu in the closing minutes of the game and didn't make a notable impact.
Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria.
With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience.
He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
