Ever-present Bassey shines in World Cup qualifiers News

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Ever-present Bassey shines in World Cup qualifiers

By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 16, 2025

Calvin Bassey has emerged as the Super Eagles’ most consistent performer in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, becoming the only Nigerian player to feature in all 10 matches with maximum minutes.

According to Football Facts account, Leagues Reporter, on X, the Fulham defender played every single minute of Nigeria’s qualifying campaign, clocking 900 minutes in total.

“Calvin Bassey is the only Super Eagles player to have played all 10 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches with maximum minutes—900. Strong, always available, and never gets injured,” the page wrote on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old’s remarkable durability and consistency proved crucial as Nigeria navigated a difficult qualifying campaign that saw them finish second in Group C with 17 points, one point behind South Africa and level on points with third-placed Benin Republic.

Nigeria’s campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in November 2023, followed by another 1-1 stalemate with Zimbabwe. Bassey was present for both matches as the Super Eagles struggled to find their rhythm early in the qualifiers.

The former Rangers man continued his run of appearances through the difficult period in June 2024, when Nigeria drew 1-1 with South Africa in Uyo before suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan—their only loss of the campaign.

Bassey’s defensive partnership with Semi Ajayi formed the backbone of Eric Chelle’s side throughout the qualifiers, with Nigeria conceding just eight goals in 10 matches—the joint-best defensive record in the group alongside South Africa.

The centre-back featured in crucial victories, including the 2-0 win over Rwanda in March 2025, where Victor Osimhen scored both goals, and the 1-0 triumph over Rwanda in September, when Tolu Arokodare found the net.

Bassey also contributed at the attacking end, scoring Nigeria’s equaliser in their 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein in September, a goal that kept their qualification hopes alive at a crucial stage of the campaign. His 44th-minute strike cancelled out William Troost-Ekong’s own goal to earn Nigeria a vital point.

He was equally dependable in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Lesotho in October, where Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams scored to secure three points, and in the frustrating 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at home, where Tawanda Chirewa’s 90th-minute equaliser denied Nigeria maximum points despite Osimhen’s goal.

His performances were particularly impressive in Tuesday’s decisive 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, where he helped marshal a defence that kept the Cheetahs at bay throughout the contest.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remained largely untroubled as Bassey and Ajayi effectively broke up Benin’s few forays forward, whilst the full-backs supported attacks with overlapping runs.

Nigeria’s progression to the play-offs was confirmed after the commanding win, with Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s stoppage-time strike securing their place as one of the best four second-placed teams with 15 points and a +7 goal difference.

The Super Eagles finished the campaign with four wins, five draws, and just one defeat, scoring 15 goals—the same tally as group winners South Africa, who accumulated 18 points from five wins, three draws, and two losses.

Bassey’s availability throughout the campaign stands in stark contrast to several of his teammates, who missed matches due to injury or suspension. Captain Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina all missed games at various points during the qualifiers.

The former Rangers man has been equally impressive at club level for Fulham, where he is valued at €25m—making him Nigeria’s most valuable defender.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 16, 2025