Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has publicly addressed Nigeria's painful exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a dramatic semifinal defeat to Morocco. The Fulham star, who was a rock at the back for Nigeria throughout the tournament, will be suspended for the upcoming third-place playoff.
Bassey's Emotional Message to the Nation
In his first comments since the 4-2 loss to Morocco in Rabat on January 14, Bassey took to social media platform X to express his feelings. The 26-year-old defender thanked God and Nigerian fans for their unwavering support during the campaign.
"We thank God in all situations. A gutting way to end the tournament. The support & togetherness we’ve felt has been special. Sorry we couldn’t take it all the way, we fought and gave it our all," Bassey wrote.
He added a note of determination, stating, "We’ll build on this. Not finished yet though, we still have something to push for." This refers to the upcoming bronze medal match against Egypt's Pharaohs.
Suspension and Stellar Tournament Performance
Bassey's commitment in the semifinal came at a cost. Having received a yellow card from Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea for a challenge on Morocco's Brahim Diaz, he played the full 120 minutes. That booking was his second of the knockout stages, triggering an automatic suspension.
Consequently, Calvin Bassey will miss Nigeria's third-place match against Egypt at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, as confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Despite the disappointing end, Bassey's individual tournament was remarkable. Statistics from Sofa Score reveal he made 11 clearances, won 6 out of 9 ground duels, and lost only one aerial duel against Morocco. Impressively, he completed more passes than any other player at AFCON 2025 and played the joint-most matches for Nigeria across the last two editions of the tournament.
Outpouring of Support from Nigerian Fans
The defender's post triggered a wave of supportive reactions from fans who recognized his immense contribution. Many hailed him as the best defender on the continent and a future captain for the national team.
One fan, @lebar4real, commented, "The best defender in Africa right now... You have really organized our defense very well. You are a Super Eagles future captain."
Another supporter, @KingSilverton, praised his effort, saying, "We will always remember you as that monstrous defender who gave his all. You run tirelessly, you jump as high as you can, you out-muscle even strikers bigger than you."
The consensus among supporters is one of pride, with many expressing hope that he will be recognized in the tournament's Best XI or even as the Best Defender.
In related news, referee Daniel Laryea, whose officiating in the semifinal was criticized by some Nigerian fans, was reportedly calm when encountered by a Nigerian pundit in Rabat, despite facing abuse on social media.
As the Super Eagles regroup to face Egypt without their defensive pillar, the focus shifts to ending the tournament on a high note and building towards future challenges, with Calvin Bassey undoubtedly central to those plans.
