Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey downplays pressure ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers

Nigeria international Calvin Bassey has downplayed pressure ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualification games against Lesotho and Benin.

With two games to end the qualifying series, The Super Eagles find themselves in the third position in Group C with 11 points, three points behind leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa.

Nigeria will have to win their games against Lesotho and Benin to stay in the discussion for a World Cup spot.

Nigeria will take on Lesotho on Friday in Polokwane, South Africa in the penultimate World Cup qualifier before hosting Benin in their final game of the qualifiers.

However, Bassey, who plies his trade for Fulham has called for composure as the team prepares for a high-pressure encounter.

“To remain calm and do what we have to. I think this is not the first time, club or country, anyone of us have been in a high pressure moment. So, I think we have got an experienced team to handle this situation. It is just about making sure we do everything right,” he said.

Nigeria will be hoping to claim all three points in Polokwane while counting on Benin and South Africa to drop points in their fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively.