After a spirited start to their Unity Cup campaign, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz are one win away from completing their West London mission in style, and they will be hoping to do so by overcoming African powerhouse Nigeria in Saturday’s final at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 11:00am Jamaica time, following the third-place playoff between Trinidad and Tobago and Ghana at 6:30am.
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren reiterated that the journey has been about more than just exhibition matches, as they were always focused on gathering momentum heading into World Cup qualification, and now, with a trophy on the line, the stakes are clear.
“We said from the very beginning that there are no friendlies when you’re playing for Jamaica. You’ve got to win every game because that’s what the fans demand. That’s what we demand. That’s what the players demand, so we want to win tomorrow," McClaren said in a pre-match press conference.
Ranked 63rd in the world by FIFA, McClaren's side, which bettered Caribbean neighbours Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in their Unity Cup opener, will face a much sterner test against 43rd-ranked Nigeria, who edged Ghana 2-1. It will be the seventh meeting between the two nations and the fourth to take place in London.
Despite Nigeria’s pedigree, bolstered by English Premier League talent and continental silverware, McClaren believes his Boyz are ready to put on a good show.
"Nigeria are very well organised, very athletic, and very strong. So this is going to be a huge test for our players, but one I'm looking forward to. If we can come out of the Unity Cup, two games and two wins, it would be a great experience to take forward, and we don't want to let anybody down. We want a good performance and, as usual, fight together," McClaren declared.
Despite limited preparation and a still-gelling squad, McClaren admitted he had doubts early in the camp but was pleased with how quickly his players responded. Among those earning attention is Rumarn Burrell, part of a new wave of talent being evaluated as the Englishman eyes long-term integration.
"I was sceptical about what we could do after one day of preparation, but I was pleased with the performance against Trinidad and Tobago, especially the first half. Now we’ve added a few more players, including some we’ve tracked for a while, and we’re finally up to a full squad of 23," the tactician said.
"This tournament was never just an exhibition. It was an ideal chance to bring a mixed squad of experienced and young players, who we've been following for quite a while, to give them an opportunity. The goal is World Cup qualification, and we want one or two, hopefully three, who can become permanent members of the squad and give us the extra energy that we need," he added.
Nigeria celebrate a goal against Ghana. (Photo: Getty Images)
Unlike the Soca Warriors, whose style of play McClaren has become familiar with, Nigeria is expected to offer a litmus test of his squad's depth and potential against elite competition. Still, McClaren insists the final is less of a burden and more of an opportunity.
Should Jamaica lift the Unity Cup, it would not only signal progress on the field but also serve as a powerful morale boost heading into the World Cup qualifiers and then the Concacaf Gold Cup.
"This will be a different test against the Africans, and if we want to go forward, if we want to qualify for World Cups, this experience will prove invaluable towards that. So we never forget where the goal is along the way. So along with milestones, we are gaining experience and trying to get better. The players saw Nigeria against Ghana, and they know what to expect, so we are looking forward to it," the tactician noted.