What is the Unity Cup? The tournament that launched Obafemi Martins’ Super Eagles career

Three-time African champions Nigeria and four-time champions Ghana are set to revive their rivalry today when they clash in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London, Soccernet.ng reports.

The tournament provides another platform for the West African heavyweights to battle for supremacy. Eric Chelle has fielded strong squads, and this clash could prove to be a defining moment for several players as they continue to write new chapters in this historic rivalry.

Interestingly, exactly 21 years ago, this same tournament launched the international career of Obafemi Martins, who went on to enjoy impressive spells with Newcastle United, VfL Wolfsburg, and a host of others.

What Is the Unity Cup?

The Unity Cup is an international football tournament held in London, designed to help teams prepare for upcoming competitions and to strengthen ties among nations with significant diasporas in the UK.

The maiden edition of the tournament was held at The Valley Stadium in 2004, featuring Nigeria, the Republic of Ireland, and Jamaica.

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Nigeria defeated Ireland 3–0 and Jamaica 2–0 to emerge champions of the tournament.

In 2025, the tournament returned with a broader lineup, featuring Ghana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nigeria. The winner is set to be crowned at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Did Obafemi Martins Find His Breakthrough at the Unity Cup?

Obafemi Martins made a memorable debut for the Super Eagles during the 2004 Unity Cup in London. In Nigeria’s opening match against the Republic of Ireland, Martins scored in the 50th minute, following Bartholomew Ogbeche’s opener—Ogbeche would go on to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.

That moment marked the beginning of Martins’ international journey. He would later win a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations and was named CAF’s Most Promising Talent of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Martins earned 40 caps for Nigeria, scoring 18 goals.

It’s worth noting that Martins had already signed with Inter Milan in 2001, where he scored 23 goals for their youth team. He became a regular first-team player in the 2002/2003 season. While he had been making strides at club level, it’s fair to say that the Unity Cup offered him the opportunity that officially launched his Super Eagles career.