Fulham star Calvin Bassey has been forced to pull out of the Nigeria squad ahead of their upcoming games against Iran and Jordan due to an injury.
The defender was expected to anchor the Super Eagles’ backline during the four-nation invitational tournament billed for Antalya, Turkey.
According to the social media post by the Nigeria national team, Bassey has withdrawn from the squad due to a back injury.
“Calvin Bassey has withdrawn from the Nigeria national football team squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan due to a back injury. Wishing you a speedy recovery, CB,” the post on X read.
While the extent of the injury was not stated, the three-time African champions will prosecute the matches with Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu and first-time invitee Emmanuel Fernandez.
Bassey’s injury might be a setback to his Premier League outfit’s quest to seal a place in Europe at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Cottagers are ninth in the English top-flight table, having accrued 44 points from 31 outings so far, with the Nigeria international making 23 appearances with a goal to his credit.
Meanwhile, captain Wilfred Ndidi was the last player to arrive at the team’s camp as the whole squad trained together ahead of the first match.
According to the tournament schedule, Eric Chelle’s men will open their campaign against World Cup-bound Iran on March 27th.
Four days later, they square up against Jordan, while Iran will play its second match against Costa Rica.
Nigeria Squad
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus)
Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke(Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Philip Otele (Hamburger SV, Germany); Collins Yira Sor (KRC Genk, Belgium)
