NIGERIA, Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago senior national
teams have all been confirmed to take part in the third edition of
the Unity Cup at Upton Park on 11th June.
The four-team Unity Cup festival will mark the first time ever Nigeria will be playing Ghana in London, and the first competitive game between the two countries since the 2002 world cup qualifier game in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where Nigeria defeated Ghana 3-0.
Joining the African gladiators will be the Caribbean pride, the Reggae boys, who will be taking on their brothers, Trinidad and Tobago in a match that neither team will want to lose.
The first edition of the cup, organised by Optima Sports Management Intl (OSMI) was held in 2002 between Nigeria and Jamaica. In 2004 the Republic of Ireland joined the two nations in a three-team format.
The Unity Cup will continue to use football as a vehicle to set new standards in cultural appreciation and unity in diversity in the United Kingdom. The success of the two earlier editions indicates what is to be expected this year, as the awareness of the entertainment, education and integration the competition brings is more intense than ever.
The event strives to encourage members of the black and ethnic minority groups in the UK to participate in the world's favourite game, and directly addresses the issue of under representation of the ethnic minority spectators attending football matches.
The Unity Cup is much more than a football match - it is a community event engaging London's diverse population. The event has served this purpose well and is now eagerly awaited by the Black and Ethnic minority in London.
This year, several stars would be on display including Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton/Nigeria), Kanu (West Brom/Nigeria), Yakubu (Portsmouth/Nigeria), Dwight Yorke (Trinidad & Tobago), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton/Jamaica), Michael Essien (Lyon/Ghana) Ricardo Fuller (Portsmouth/Jamaica) and Stephen Appiah (Juventus & Ghana) amongst others.
Match 1: Nigeria vs. Gahna, kick-off: 4.00pm
Match 2: Jamaica vs Trinidad & Tobago, Kick-off: 6.30pm
For more information on the Unity Cup please click here.