Calvin Bassey’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s most reliable performers has been underlined by a remarkable run of appearances that has made him an automatic selection for the Super Eagles in competitive football, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Fulham defender is the only outfield player who has not been substituted in Nigeria’s last 13 competitive matches, a record bettered only by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has remained ever present across the last 19 games.
Since being withdrawn in the 63rd minute of a 3–0 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying win over Benin in September 2024, Bassey has completed every competitive match he has featured in for the national side.
That sequence began in earnest with a goalless draw away to Rwanda three days after the Benin win, where Bassey played the full 90 minutes at centre back.
He followed that with another complete performance in a narrow 1–0 home victory over Libya, before again seeing out the full match in a 1–1 draw away to Benin.
His only absence during that qualifying campaign came when he was left on the bench for the home defeat to Rwanda, Nigeria’s lone setback in the group.
Bassey’s importance carried into the World Cup qualifying campaign, where he was ever present as Nigeria struggled for consistency.
He completed 90 minutes in a win away against Rwanda and draw at home to Zimbabwe, before returning from a brief spell out of the squad during a run of international friendlies against Ghana, Jamaica and Russia.
Once competitive action resumed, he again became indispensable, playing every minute in successive qualifiers against Rwanda, South Africa, Lesotho and Benin, operating across the back line when required, including a shift to left back away to South Africa where he assisted Cyriel Dessers for Nigeria’s only goal at the Free State Stadium.
His durability was further tested during the play off matches, where Nigeria’s path was decided over extra time. Bassey completed the full 120 minutes in the semi-final win over Gabon and repeated the feat in the final against DR Congo, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat with him being the first to miss from the spot.
At the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, the 25-year-old has continued that sequence, playing every minute in Nigeria’s opening group matches against Tanzania and Tunisia.
His composure and physical presence at the heart of defence have helped the Super Eagles secure qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare and seal top spot in Group C.
With Nigeria set to face Uganda in their final group match, Bassey is again expected to start as head coach Eric Chelle maintains faith in a defender who has become synonymous with reliability.
Read the full article here
