Former Super Eagles assistant coach Sylvanus Okpala has singled out Calvin Bassey for special praise following the defender’s commanding displays at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Okpala, a former Nigeria international, has described Fulham man Bassey as one of the best defenders at the just-concluded continental showpiece.
Nigeria went on to claim the bronze medal, and Bassey’s influence across the campaign was impossible to ignore.
The 26-year-old featured in every match for the Super Eagles except the third-place playoff, which he missed through suspension, and was a central figure in a defence that grew stronger as the competition progressed.
The Super Eagles did not concede a single goal throughout the knockout stages and kept four clean sheets in seven matches overall, with Bassey playing a decisive role in many of those games.
His most memorable outing came in the semi-final against hosts Morocco, where he produced a monumental defensive performance, almost single-handedly keeping the Atlas Lions at bay for 120 minutes before Nigeria were eventually edged out on penalties. It was a display that drew admiration from fans, analysts and former players alike.
Okpala, who worked with the national team in the past, did not hide his admiration when speaking about the Fulham defender.
“Bassey is in a class of his own,” Okpala told the Vanguard.
“He is a very good defender. His marking and ability to scuttle opponents’ attacking moves make him one of the best Super Eagles.
“He has been excellent and his performance outstanding. He also has a high football IQ and knows what to do under tight situations, even under pressure, he knows when to go forward and when to fall back.”
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Calvin Bassey: Nigeria’s new defensive leader?
The Morocco 2025 tournament was Bassey’s second Africa Cup of Nations appearance for Nigeria, having previously featured at the 2023 edition where he helped the Super Eagles finish with a silver medal.
Born in Italy, the versatile defender, who can operate both as a left-back and a centre-back, has built his career steadily across Europe.
A product of Leicester City’s youth system, Bassey did not make a senior appearance for the club before moving to Rangers in 2020.
In Scotland, he made 65 appearances over two seasons and won both the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup. His impressive rise earned him a big move to Ajax in 2022 in a deal that became Rangers’ highest-ever sale, before he joined Fulham a year later.
Eligible to represent Italy, England or Nigeria, Bassey committed his international future to the Super Eagles in 2021 and made his debut in a goalless World Cup qualifier against Ghana in March 2022.
He scored his first international goal in September 2025 against South Africa and has now earned 43 caps.
At AFCON 2025, his combative style, intelligence, discipline and consistency boosted his growing importance to the national team.
As Nigeria look ahead to future tournaments and World Cup qualifiers, Bassey’s performances in Morocco suggest the Super Eagles have found a defensive leader they can rely on for years to come.
