The coach of Jamaica’s national team, Steve McClaren will be counting on loud chants from supporters rooting all the way for his team in order to defeat Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the 2025 Unity Cup final on Saturday.
Sports247 reports that Jamaica earlier qualified for the final after defeating Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in the four-nation invitational competition’s first semi-final on Tuesday, while Nigeria joined them with a 2-1 win over Ghana on Wednesday.
READ ALSO: Mikel Obi Thanks Mourinho, Makelele For Change Of Role That Ignited His Career
The Super Eagles were propelled into Saturday’s final by an early goal from Glasgow Rangers of Scotland’s in-form top scorer, Cyriel Dessers, following which Semi Ajayi forced an opposing defender to commit an own goal.
Although the Ghanaians fought gamely in the second half and pulled one goal back, Eric Chelle’s Eagles held their own firmly to carry the day with the tightest of margins, though they also had the agony of seeing Kelechi Iheanacho’s effort ruled out for offside.
However, the 2-1 scoreline was enough to take the three-time African champions into Saturday’s final against The Reggae Boyz of Jamaica, whose coach is enthusiastic that his team will again be backed by their large array of cacophonic fans, as was the case during Tuesday’s opening match against Trinidad.
“We’re excited playing in front of our supporters in their yellow, green, black jerseys,” McClaren disclosed. “Our supporters, with the scarves and the flags, should turn up.”
Sports247 noted that this means the Nigerian community in London will have to counter by ensuring its members troop out in large numbers and cheer the Eagles in the loudest way possible.
Anything short of unending and vociferous chants by Nigerians in the stands of Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium would mean the Eagles being at a disadvantage, as The Reggae Boyz’ supporters could virtually turn the arena into their home ground.
McClaren also hinted that his players would be hungry to prove themselves by getting a historic victory over Nigeria, which would boost their morale heading into the final lap of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the North American continental championship tagged Gold Cup.
“Let’s not forget that this is also a build-up to the World Cup qualification race and the Gold Cup. So, that’s why we picked this squad. That’s the goal, and this is just a step towards it,” the former England gaffer posited.
