By Paul-Andre Walker, Staff ReporterTHE REGGAE Boyz will have to be at their best to test Nigeria's Super Eagles this morning in their first game of the triangular Unity Cup football tournament at Charlton Athletic's stadium, starting at 9:30 (local time).
Nigeria on Saturday dished out a 3-0 thrashing to world number 15 Republic of Ireland, who round of the trio of nations in the tournament.
Jamaica Football Federation vice president George Evans saw Saturday's game and said was impressed with the play of the Nigerians.
"We'll have to play very, very well. I was very impressed with them. They were superb.
"They completely dominated the game and while it wasn't the strongest Republic of Ireland team, they were a good enough team to have competed but the technical skill and speed of the Nigerians were incredible.
"We will have to be at our best if we want to get a win from the game tomorrow," he added.
The Nigerian contingent, rated 16th in the world, will be short of Bolton Wanderer's Jay-Jay Okocha and Arsenal's Nwankwo Kanu. Chelsea's Cilestine Babayaro is yet to grace the tournament with his presence.
Jamaica will welcome back the services of Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner to a team wracked with injuries and missing players.
The four-pronged defensive line will see Fabian Davis at right-back, Ian Goodison and Claude Davis at centre-half and Garfield Reid at left-back.
In midfield, Gardner will take up his role on the left with Jermaine Johnson on the right, completing the diamond with Micah Hyde and Richard Langley giving support in the middle.
Ricardo Fuller is still recovering from minor knee surgery and Onandi Lowe was not named in the squad. Their replacements will come from Marlon King and Kevin Lisbie.
Despite the slow recovery of Theodore Whitmore and Ricardo Fuller, Evans said the trip has been a success thus far.
"We came here to spend time as a unit and to get in some high intensity training, fitness and stamina work. As far as that is concerned, it has gone very well. We had one minor hiccup with the food but that has worked itself out," he said.
Jamaica will play the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
