Following Nigeria’s hard-fought 2–1 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana in the 2025 Unity Cup semi-final, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle says his team must now double their efforts as they prepare to face Jamaica in the final.
Chelle, who took over as head coach just weeks ago, expressed pride in his team’s performance—particularly the contributions of locally based players—but cautioned that their opponents would now study their style more closely, making future encounters more challenging.
Nigeria off to a bright start in Unity Cup
The Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament hosted at the G-Tech Community Stadium in Brentford, England, features Ghana, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica.
The opening match saw Jamaica edge past Trinidad and Tobago 3–2, setting up a semi-final clash between West African rivals Nigeria and Ghana.
The Super Eagles began the match with intensity and purpose, overwhelming the Black Stars in the first half.
Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring after a well-placed cross from Sodiq Ismail, while Semi Ajayi added a second before halftime. Though Ghana pulled one back through Brandon Thomas-Asante in the second half, Nigeria held firm to claim the win and secure a spot in Saturday’s final.
Chelle applauds team identity and local talent
In his post-match remarks, Chelle highlighted the transformation he has brought to the Super Eagles setup in a short span of time.
“I think everybody can see our identity. I’m a coach’s team. I changed this team in one week—just seven days. So now we need to work, we need to improve,” he said.
The coach took time to spotlight players from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) who featured prominently in the win. Sodiq Ismail, Papa Daniel, and Sikiru Alimi were all handed starts, and their performances impressed.
“I’m so proud of my players, especially those from the National League. It’s not easy for them, physically and mentally, but they showed character and quality,” Chelle stated.
Ismail, in particular, made an instant impact by delivering the assist for the opening goal, validating Chelle’s decision to trust the home-based stars.
Fatigue sets in but Eagles hold on
Despite the strong first half, Chelle acknowledged that fatigue set in as the game wore on, allowing Ghana to gain momentum in the second period.
Nevertheless, he praised his players for their resilience in holding onto the lead under pressure.
“These players, they have some qualities,” Chelle remarked. “My job is to analyse. My job is to make some choices. If I’m wrong, then I’m guilty. But the reality is that I want to give chances to these guys. Because I need to put in my team some guys who can add something—we need to win.”
Jamaica awaits in final showdown
The Super Eagles will now turn their attention to the Unity Cup final against Jamaica on Saturday, May 31.
The Jamaicans are in fine form after their victory over Trinidad and Tobago, and Chelle is aware that his team must improve further to lift the trophy.
Looking beyond the tournament, Chelle acknowledged the bigger picture—Nigeria’s quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently sitting fifth in their qualification group after a slow start, every match now carries extra weight.
“We have a long road ahead. Every game now matters. We must build on this momentum. The team showed what they’re capable of, but it’s not enough—we need to be better,” Chelle concluded.
A glimpse of a new era?
For Nigerian football fans, Chelle’s tactical clarity, willingness to promote local talent, and early results have sparked optimism. The win against Ghana, a traditional rival, has not only propelled the Super Eagles to the Unity Cup final but also reignited hopes for a brighter, more inclusive national team setup.
As Nigeria prepares for the final clash against Jamaica, all eyes will be on whether Chelle’s men can finish what they started—and whether a new chapter for Nigerian football is truly underway.
