Calvin Bassey came agonisingly close to a rare goal as Fulham edged Burnley 3-2 in the Premier League, his final club outing before joining Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The centre-back surged forward from deep, skillfully evading a challenge before unleashing a shot with his preferred left foot. Despite teammates arriving in promising positions, including Samuel Chukwueze and Emile Smith Rowe, Bassey opted to shoot—sending the ball well wide and sparking playful ribbing in the Super Eagles camp.
Chukwueze, speaking on the Alexander Yaa Digg YouTube channel, recounted the moment with humour and mock frustration.
“We are in the same Fulham, and we haven’t even gone to AFCON yet, the ball is already lost. You have Maradona and Messi in the same position, and you balloon it to Morocco like an amateur,” Chukwueze joked.
He added, “I was supposed to get a goal and an assist, but I only had an assist because of him. Simple pass—that’s what they teach us in the academy. Simple pass and celebrate with me. I am your brother, not your enemy. This boy is killing me.”
The winger continued the playful banter, suggesting Bassey is more generous with Alex Iwobi in similar situations, and issued a lighthearted warning ahead of Nigeria’s Group C opener against Tanzania.
“Alex will be in the same position I am and he will get the ball. But me? Because I don’t speak, ‘innit’, you pass to your brother. Don’t worry, when I’m fully in form, it’s over for you,” Chukwueze said.
He concluded, “I told him when we get to the national team, we will fight it out.”
Both Bassey and Chukwueze are expected to play key roles for the Super Eagles when they face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on Tuesday evening, as Nigeria begin their quest for a fourth AFCON title.
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