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Cup-holders Nigeria are not looking to take anything for granted in Saturday’s Unity Cup Tournament final duel against the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica at the Charlton Athletic Stadium in London.

Head Coach Eric Chelle has been singing the praises of the squad that hammered Zimbabwe 2-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final, and he made it clear on Thursday that he might tweak his playing personnel, tactics, pattern and strategy for Saturday’s encounter against the familiar foes.

The Super Eagles and the Reggae Boyz battled to a 2-2 draw in the final of the same mini-tournament on Saturday, 31st May, 2025, before the Eagles swept to victory 5-4 after a penalty shootout to retain the trophy they had won in 2002 and 2004 – the only two times the competition had been held previously.

In its first edition in 2002, the Unity Cup was played by only two teams, with Nigeria defeating Jamaica by a lone goal scored by a former Nigeria U17 team captain, James Obiorah. Two years later, the Republic of Ireland joined the two teams, but Nigeria still emerged champions, with Bartholomew Ogbeche emerging the top scorer with three goals.

It was at the 2004 edition that Obafemi Martins made his mark, scoring on his debut for Nigeria.

On Saturday, Coach Chelle is permitted further experimentation with the largely fresh group he has brought to London, with Wrexham FC of England goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo likely to be given the nod to start having kept a clean sheet against the nifty Warriors on Tuesday.

A reassuring rearguard of Chibueze Oputa, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Igoh Ogbu and Obinna Igboke could also be wholly retained, following a commendable outing against the Zimbabweans. It may be recalled that it was at the Unity Cup last year that Igoh Ogbu, who plays for Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, got his break into the Eagles’ big league.

Tochukwu Nnadi, who played some part in the Super Eagles’ campaign at the last Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, may again team up with US-based no-nonsense tackler Alhassan Yusuf and former U17 team captain Samson Tijani in the middle, as Terem Moffi, Philip Otele and two-goal hero Femi Azeez run things at the fore.

Cyprus-based goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is also available, as are midfielder Tosin Oyedokun and forwards Owen Oseni and Rafiu Durosinmi, who also did not disappoint as substitutes on Tuesday.

Azeez’s self-assured output against Zimbabwe, with two goals to boot in his debut, gladdened the hearts of the technical crew, and much is expected of him against a Jamaican side that nearly torpedoed the books last summer. In the event, he became the first debutant to score two goals for the Nigeria senior team since Mathias Obianika did the same in the Eagles’ 4-0 defeat of Burkina Faso 55 years ago.

On Thursday, the Super Eagles trained at the Cray Valley, ahead of Friday’s official training that will hold at The Valley.

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Jannik Sinner’s 30-match winning run came to an abrupt halt at the French Open on Thursday as the world number one succumbed to sweltering conditions in a five-set, second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

The world number one was cruising when leading by two sets and 5-1 in the third set before suddenly struggling with his movement as he lost 18 points in a row.

Sinner took a medical time-out, complained of feeling “dizzy” and left a sweltering Court Philippe Chatrier for treatment, but after returning still slipped to a 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 loss to world number 56 Cerundolo.

Italy’s Jannik Sinner tries to cool down during a break of play in his men’s singles match against Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo on day 5 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 28, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

“I was little bit lucky, I feel sorry for him,” said Cerundolo.

“I don’t know what happened, he was cramping, maybe the pressure. I feel sorry for him and hope he recovers.”

Sinner suffered his earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2023 French Open, as Cerundolo completed one of tennis’ biggest shocks in recent years and set up a last-32 tie against either Spanish youngster Martin Landaluce or Czech Vit Kopriva on Saturday.

The unseasonably hot weather has caused problems for players all week in Paris.

Czech Jakub Mensik collapsed on court with cramps after his win on Wednesday, while Novak Djokovic called for matches to be moved to later in the day.

The 24-year-old Sinner was the latest to wilt under the blazing sun, seeing his 30-match winning streak, after taking titles in Rome, Madrid and Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells, come to a shuddering halt.

The Italian will now have to wait until next year, when injured rival Carlos Alcaraz will likely be back in action, for his next chance to complete the career Grand Slam.

The top seed was in total control and romping towards the most routine of victories before he suddenly started to struggle physically, losing three consecutive games to love.

He asked the chair umpire what his options were when 0-40 down in the next game, before being evaluated by a physio, saying he felt dizzy and needed to vomit.

Sinner gingerly returned to the court after treatment to applause from the crowd, but continued to melt in the 32C heat and departed the stage again after Cerundolo took the set.

After a nine-minute delay, the cramping Sinner hobbled back out but quickly saw the fourth set slide away as Cerundolo levelled the tie.

The unheralded Argentinian appeared inspired by the opportunity to knock out the world’s best player and raced to victory against his deflated opponent, who was left bent over double after every lengthy rally.

The underdog was left to celebrate a sensational win after clipping away a forehand winner to reach the third round of a Slam for the first time.

“I tried to play my best, I’m going to keep trying to play my best. The clay is my best surface and I hope to be ready for the next match,” added Cerundolo.

Sinner’s compatriot Flavio Cobolli, the 10th seed, reached the third round for a second successive year with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over China’s Wu Yubing.

He will next face American Learner Tien after the 18th seed fought back to defeat world number 151 Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.

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Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and PSG cult hero Presnel Kimpembe are poised to take the UEFA Champions League trophy to the pitch before Saturday’s Champions League final between Les Pariesiens and the Gunners, Le Parisien understands.

This follows the tradition of former players of the two finalists presenting the trophy before the match.

Last year, Javier Pastore and Javier Zanetti were given the responsibility, before PSG thrashed Inter Milan in Munich.

Kimpembe has already confirmed to Le Parisien that he has been chosen by the Ligue 1 side to deliver the trophy.

He said: “It’s a great honor to represent Paris Saint-Germain in this Champions League final.

“I hope it’ll bring luck to the team and to all Parisian supporters.”