Calvin Bassey Ruled Out of Super Eagles Antalya friendly

By Irikefe Oghenetega Victor 

The Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has been ruled out of the squad for the upcoming four-nation friendly tournament in Antalya, Turkey, due to a back injury.

Bassey was initially expected to link up with the team for the matches against Iran and Jordan, but he will now remain in London to focus on recovery and rehabilitation. 

The 26-year-old sustained the injury during Fulham’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Burnley last weekend.

In a brief statement released on the team’s official channels, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the withdrawal and wished Bassey a speedy recovery. The federation also acknowledged the importance of his presence in the squad, especially as coach Éric Chelle looks to build defensive cohesion ahead of future competitive fixtures.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for the Super Eagles coaching staff, who had hoped to assess their strongest defensive combinations during these friendlies.

With Bassey’s absence, the squad has started training in Antalya with 22 players present.

Nigeria will face Iran in their first friendly on Friday, March 27, before taking on Jordan next Tuesday, March 31.

Historically, the Super Eagles and Iran have met only twice at senior level, with Nigeria securing one win and the other ending in a draw. The tournament also includes Costa Rica, providing Chelle with valuable opportunities to test his squad despite the setback.