FRIDAY April 11, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
The Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, West London, is set to host the Unity Cup 2025 Invitational Tournament later this May, as final agreements were concluded on Wednesday to confirm the participation of Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago in the much-anticipated event, AriseNews reports.
The 17,250-capacity stadium will serve as the venue for the week-long football and cultural celebration, marking the return of a tournament last held over two decades ago.
Rotimi Pedro of AfroSport expressed his delight at the revival of the tournament. “We are proud to bring back The Unity Cup. It’s been a long journey to revive this important community event, and we’re delighted that fans of African and Caribbean football will once again enjoy top-tier international football at Unity Cup 2025,” he said.
“We are grateful to Brentford FC for providing a home at the Gtech Community Stadium and look forward to what, even after 20 years, remains a cultural moment for many who attended previous Unity Cup tournaments. Unity Cup 2025 is a week-long celebration of our interconnected culture in food, music and comedy anchored around elite footballing talents from our home nations.”
The tournament opens on Tuesday, 27th May, with Trinidad & Tobago facing Jamaica in the first semi-final – the first-ever “Trini-Jam” clash to take place on British soil. On Wednesday, 28th May, the spotlight will shift to a classic African derby, as three-time African champions Nigeria battle four-time champions Ghana in a high-stakes encounter extending a 74-year rivalry.
The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, 31st May, with all four teams returning to the pitch. The third-place play-off will precede the Unity Cup Final, where the champions will be crowned.
NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau underlined the competition’s significance ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. “We signed on to the tournament as it offers a vital opportunity for our team to bond ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. The Unity Cup has a special history, and the Super Eagles have always been part of that journey.”
Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle noted, “We’re looking forward to taking part in the Unity Cup as it will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October.”
Team captain William Troost-Ekong added, “This is a great tournament for us to reunite and continue strategising for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games.”
Marcus Gayle, Brentford FC ambassador and former Jamaican international, welcomed the return of the event. “We’re thrilled to welcome the Unity Cup back and to host it here at the Gtech Community Stadium. This tournament will not only showcase elite football talent from Africa and the Caribbean, but also celebrate the deep cultural and sporting ties between these regions. It’s a brilliant platform for players to shine, and we’re excited about the entertainment and community spirit the tournament brings.”
