Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr is delighted Rangers defender Calvin Bassey chose to represent the three-time African champions, reports Completesports.com.
Bassey, 21, was named in Nigeria’s squad for this month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying double-header against Central African Republic on Thursday.
The left-back was born in Italy and eligible to represent the European champions and the Three Lions of England.
“I am so proud of him (Bassey) and happy that he chose Nigeria,” Rohr told ESPN.
“That is why it is important to have him quickly because it is one of the last moments we can test new players. That is why he is in our list now.”
Rohr is also hopeful there are no complications this time, with Bassey forced to withdraw from previous squad, for the games in August against Liberia and Cape Verde after testing positive for COVID-19.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Rohr Invites Calvin Bassey, Osimhen, Onuachu 20 Others For CAR Double-Header
“Last time he was in our list but he couldn’t come because of a positive COVID test. He was unlucky,” Rohr said.
“Now it is October and this is the right moment, he is the only new player we have invited.
The invitation of the former Leicester City player means that FC Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi misses out on the squad, despite playing in the Champions League, although that is also down to Sanusi’s own situation at Porto, according to Rohr.
“When we had to do the list he [Sanusi] didn’t play the last five games in the club,” the coach explained. “We cannot put three left backs in the list.
“But we know already his qualities and he will come back next time when he is playing in the club. I like this player very much but it’s also the opportunity to test a new player.”
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COMMENTS
Hope haters will calm down as the man himself has explained in details now. No more why Is Ejaria or Luckman has not been invited. If truly they are ready they know what to do not the coach chasing them around.
Mr @tayo please ignore that person if at all it was really a person that was commenting,he is an attention seeker i am always wondering how some people live even with their wife if he will ever get married one day
I am very happy that Calvin Bassey has finally come to stay… This guy is a bomb. I have been following his progress ever since he signed for rangers.. I am very sure that in few years ahead Bassey will be playing in the top five league…
I am happy that he has chosen Nigeria ahead of the aforementioned countries he is eligible to play for.
I think what the super eagles really need now is a ball-playing playmaker in the mood of ovie ejaria… Once we have gotten that then the super eagles is ready to take on the world power toe-to-toe.
I wish and pray that zaidu sanusi gets his mojo asap in order that the competition at the LB becomes much more stronger that ever..
@tayo shut up there.. All I hear is a double standard comment from an Old man with no clue. Confused. So when Musa was collected dust at home for almost 1year and went back to Naija just to look for woman but was still getting called up. Yet Rohr always chooses to use guidelines and follow protocols when it comes to players that can actually add something to the squad. Let me ask you with this his flimsy reason as to why Sanusi is not there? if we apply it to Musa and Dennis? Who deserves to be called up MORE??
Dennis must be your national team captain…LMAOooo. Its obvious who the clueless one is now…LMAOooo.
Go and cut Musa’s legs when you see him in the national team camp next monday…..LMAOooo
@Ugochukwu, don’t ever tell @Tayo to shut up. Do you know who he is? Mind yourself.
Ugo you always complain about everything. Is the explanation in this news not good enough. Maybe Musa tried to snatch your girl friend before (laugh). The explanation he gave for sanusi is sensible enough. You don’t have to complain about everything just become you don’t like the man. Sometimes we need to apply maturity here.
When you don’t invite the team captain for a match day, it immediately disstabilized the team in certain ways. There is what is called dressing room or off the field activities that impacts on what happens on the pitch. A coach would not mess around with those things because it can make the difference between success and failure. You cannot just yank off Musa’s name like that because he is still the captain and as such his roles goes beyond what happens on the pitch.
Must you sound harsh when arguing bro? It’s social maladjustment
Good explanation accepted!
@ E Samuels, the explanation is acceptable to me too.
“Last time he was in our list but he couldn’t come because of a positive COVID test. He was unlucky,”
Wow, so the boy was even penned down for the last games but had to de-listed having being indisposed…? And some highly ignorant people will come here pouring out hate and personal frustrations about non-invitation of this or that player when they know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about what’s been going on behind the scenes…? As if the ones invited are non-Nigerians who should represent Nigeria, or fishermen who cant get the job of a footballer done. LMAOo.
Who the hell are you to tell me to shut up? The coach did not invite Dennis then go and die u senseless idiot.
@Tayo Genot Rohr is the next best thing for Nigeria. He knows what he is doing. Haters can continue to hate .
It’s only in Nigeria I see insults being passed to critics. Please we can not all sleep and face the same direction .
You guys need to tolerate one another instead of reigning insults on each other… Football brings about ethnicity and religious together.
Bassey is highly welcome to SE……he is a young and dynamic leftback who can also play at center back……His strength is his greatest asset together with his pace…… when playing at left back he gives the team width in attack and he is always available when a counter attack is being lunched…….. Great addition but I still believe my brother Zaidu sanusi will bounce back because I have so much confidence in zaidu…… anyhow the more the merrier like I always say competition makes Nigerians work harder.
But why is Rohr not applying the same rationale applied in the case of Sanusi for Uzoho too. The last time Uzoho played a game was August 21, 2021. Whereas we have Adebayo Adeleye who has been getting game time this season. I think he should have been given a chance just like Calvin.
I guess the coach is looking at the level of experience acquired by uzoho internationally nations cup nd world cup experience
@ Vicor,the explanation is not accepted though you made a point.Beside,Ekong is the super eagles new captain.If that is the reason, Rohr will continue to be inviting Mikel to be playing that leadership role.The fact is that Musa is still young and the legacies he lived in the past and still living is what is still earning him a national call up.He has fought for this country.He always gives his best when in the national team colour and he always donate to the team.So Nigeria needs to pay him back hence continued national team call ups.But it should not be to the detriment of the team.It should have limit.
You guys should stop this na
This coach you he can scout for foreign base playes but he don’t know how to drives talents from them and sometimes he keeps personal grudges with some of our players just like case of Paul Onuachu if not for Eagles fans he wouldn’t have called up Onu and the same treatment now he’s unleashing on Dennis,Awoniyi and Frank Onyeka bcos they’re doing well why not invited?