Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon has predicted a challenging encounter when they face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final on Saturday.
Nigeria advanced to the final after a hard-fought 2-1 win over longtime rivals Ghana in Wednesday’s semi-final.
The Black Stars clawed one back after first-half goals from Cyriel Dessers and Razak Simpson (own goal), but it wasn’t enough to deny the Super Eagles a place in the final.
Jamaica, on the other hand, sealed their spot after edging Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in a tense Caribbean derby.
Simon, who came on as a substitute in the second half against Ghana, acknowledged the quality of Saturday’s opponents.
“This is my first time playing in a tournament like this in the UK,” the Nantes forward said during Friday’s pre-match press conference.
“We are prepared we know what is at stake in Nigeria there’s nothing like a friendly game.”
“Jamaica have a good team and we all know it’s not going to be easy because they have good players, good coach.”
The Super Eagles last met Jamaica in the 2004 Unity Cup, where Nigeria emerged 2-0 winners. But Simon insists history will count for little this weekend.
Off the pitch, the 29-year-old also touched on one of West Africa’s famous rivalries when asked about competition.
“I’d say Ghana, because we’re very close and we have a rivalry, especially over Jollof rice,” he joked.
“It’s not about war; it’s just about who’s better. Our fathers have had this rivalry, and we’ve continued it. So, who has the best? If you watched the last game, you already know.”
