Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey pulls out of Super Eagles squad for Jordan, Iran friendlies

Nigeria have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their upcoming international friendlies in Turkey, with Calvin Bassey ruled out due to injury.

The Fulham FC defender has withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad after sustaining a back problem, forcing him to miss the scheduled matches against Iran and Jordan in Antalya.

Bassey had initially been named in head coach Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for the international window, with expectations high that he would play a key role in Nigeria’s defensive setup. However, fresh reports from the team’s camp have now confirmed his unavailability, dealing a blow to the squad’s preparations.

The 25-year-old has been a consistent presence for both club and country, known for his versatility across the backline and his physical presence. His absence leaves a gap in the defensive unit, with Chelle now expected to consider alternative options as the team fine-tunes its strategy.

Nigeria are set to face Iran and Jordan in a pair of preparatory matches aimed at strengthening team cohesion and assessing player form ahead of future competitive fixtures. The games, scheduled to take place in Antalya, are seen as crucial for the Super Eagles’ rebuilding process under Chelle.

Bassey will now return to his club to undergo further assessment and rehabilitation, with hopes that he will recover in time for Fulham’s upcoming fixtures and Nigeria’s future assignments.

Further updates on a possible replacement are expected in the coming days as the Super Eagles camp adjusts to the late withdrawal.