JFF eyeing Unity Cup as prep tourney - Sees UK competition as test for Nations League, Gold Cup

Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), says his organisation will be taking the Unity Cup tournament very seriously as it forms a crucial part of their preparations for the Nations League and the Concacaf Gold Cup.

The Reggae Boyz will be joined by defending champions Nigeria, India and Zimbabwe national senior men's football teams in the tournament, which is scheduled to be played at The Valley in Charlton, southeast London.

Jamaica will face India in one semi-final on May 27, while Nigeria will tackle Zimbabwe on May 26. The final is set for May 30. The Reggae Boyz lost last year's final to Nigeria, on penalties.

"We are taking it very seriously. We are starting the first game on the 26th of May; and so it is two games - the two losers play for third and fourth, and the two winners go to the final," said Ricketts.

"Last year we did very well and we got to the final with Nigeria, and we lost on penalties after a 2-2 scoreline at the end of regulation," he added.

Jamaica narrowly missed out on a place at this year's FIFA men's World Cup tournament after losing 1-0 to DR Congo in the Intercontinental Play-off Final at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico last month.

IMPORTANT ROLE

Ricketts noted that the Unity Cup will play an important role in the team's preparation for upcoming competitions.

"This week we will meet to discuss it as it relates to this particular tournament," he said. "Later this year, we have the Nations League, and next year is the Gold Cup tournament, so we have a number of official games to participate in, and so the show goes on.

"We are not going to be easing up, so we just have to put things into place to ensure that we get some good results as we start to rebuild and repair."

Ricketts also pointed out that the Unity Cup will provide opportunities for other players to be assessed by the coaching staff as they plan for the future.

"I am sure that it is also an opportunity to look at other players, and so I will meet with the technical committee on Tuesday. Barry Watson now chairs the technical committee, so we will meet to craft a way forward and look at recommendations, particularly for the Nations League and the Unity Cup, two major senior men's tournaments that are coming up," he said.