Glasgow Rangers of Scotland defender Calvin Ughelumba Bassey has arrived Super Eagles camp ahead of Thursday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying tie against the Les Fauves of Central African Republic, Completesports.com reports.
Bassey arrived the team’s Eko Hotel camp alongside his clubmates Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo on Monday night.
Overall 16 players are now in camp with seven others expected on Tuesday (today) .
Team captain Ahmed Musa , William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Paul Onuachu, Joe Aribo and Kevin Akpoguma also arrived camp on Monday.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Akpeyi, Awaziem Latest Arrivals In Super Eagles Camp
The Super Eagles will be welcoming their visitors at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos hoping to make it three wins in a row in Group C. They started their campaign with a 2-0 win over Liberia before defeating Cape Verde 2-1.
Les Fauves are yet to win a game, having collected just one point which came from a 1-1 draw away to Cape Verde before losing by a solitary goal at home against Liberia.
16 Players In Camp
Ejuke Chidera, Daniel Akpeyi, Onuachu Paul, Samuel Kalu, Kevin Akpoguma, Jamilu Collins, Innocent Bonke, Chidozie Awaziem, Taiwo Awoniyi, William Ekong, Frank Onyeka, Leon Balogun, Joseph Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Ahmed Musa.
7 players expected today: Victor Osimhen, Maduka Okoye, Kelechi Iheanacho, Kenneth Omeruo, Simon Moses, Francis Uzoho, Shehu Abdullahi.
By Adeboye Amosu
9 Comments
I’m really impressed by the attitude of Taiwo Awoniyi. This is a player that was only invited by Sunday evening, and the next day (Monday evening) he was already in camp! Now that’s the attitude of a player who wants to stake a serious claim for a shirt in the National team. Kudos Awoniyi, and best of luck.
I mustn’t fail to commend all the other players that have shown up early including Ejuke (first in camp, all the way from Russia) and our most welcome new boy, Calvin Bassey. Good to see that the three teammates (Balogun, Aribo and Bassey) all arrived together. It demonstrates a unity of purpose and points to the influence that the older teammates must have had on Bassey’s decision to commit to Nigeria. Hope to see more of such with Ndidi and Iheanacho, Ekong, Etebo and perhaps Dennis in future.
With the invitation of Bassey and Awoniyi, we can all see that the coach is gradually integrating deserving players into the team without negatively impacting team chemistry, as would be the case with wholesale invitation off all emerging high performing players at the same time. Gradually this team is taking shape, with all the little gaps gradually closed (with deserving players and increased team chemistry), and will hopefully peak at the major tournaments coming up next year.
You spoke my mind with the arrival Balogun, Joe and Bassey demonstrating strong bond amongst the trios. I have no doubt that three will start the game. I look forward to kelechi, Ndidi and Lookman arriving together in the future, Etebo, Ekong and Denis…if these guys keep the unity, and they are ever sure to start in our first eleven, it will benefit the national team greatly.
Thanks @Tod, can’t imagine how I forgot Lukman! That’s another one am eagerly awaiting his integration into the Super Eagles fold in the nearest future. Will be a joy to behold Ndidi, Iheanacho and Lukman arriving Super Eagles camp together just like the Rangers trio!
I hope lookman will choose to play for us, because it will really help, ndidi,iheanacho and lookman will bring the Leicester combination to the eagles which will really help just as balogun,aribo and new boy basset will also do
@ Adekunle, He has decided to play for Nigeria. According to owngoalng.com. FIFA has cleared him to play for Nigeria. It left for Rohr to invite him when he decides to use him
Welcome home Bassey. You have just started a new chapter, that will take your football career to that very height. Just like @Aleks n @Tod,suggested above, General Leon Balogun n Ariball boboyen may have played the big broda role in getting Bassey to turn down England, to commit to nigeria. Big thumbs to you all and again wont fail to mention Tai SODJE, who has been constantly turning down England’s overtues, with mind set on representing nigeria, thanks to his uncles, the Sodje brothers for that. I will wanna believe that if Yobo had played similar big brother role, Ross Barkley could just have been playing for nigeria today. Mikel got Aina, thanks to his big brother role. Now looking forward to Nacho and Ndidi doing same to Lookman.
Abeg Contri pipu, Our home-based eagles wey Aigbogun carry go Congo for the four nation tourney between September 30 to October 3, we never hear from them o.
Anybody with any news about that squad that travelled to Congo…??? Please help a brother. Abi dem still dey for hold up for 3rd mainland bridge since last Tuesday..?
Omo9ja in best position to answer U bro…..
Have always wished for at least one Italian root playing in eagles defense. Now it has happened in the left back. How sweet! Wow. Nobody should ask me for reason o. Just watch and see.