“It is unfortunate that Bassey had to pull out late because of a back injury. We wish him a quick recovery and hope to have him back to the team soon,” said Promise Efoghe, a spokesperson for the Super Eagles, highlighting the challenges faced by the Nigerian national team ahead of their upcoming international friendlies.
Calvin Bassey, a standout performer for Nigeria at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has been ruled out of the matches due to a back injury. His absence is a significant blow for the Super Eagles, who are gearing up to face Iran on March 27 and Jordan on March 31 in Antalya, Turkey. The Super Eagles finished third in the last AFCON tournament held in Morocco, and Bassey’s contributions were pivotal to their success.
As the team prepares for these crucial fixtures, they currently have 22 players in camp, including Wilfred Ndidi, who has recently joined the squad. Ndidi’s presence is expected to strengthen the group, as noted by Efoghe, who stated, “His presence completes the list of invited players and strengthens the group.”
The matches were relocated from Amman to Antalya due to security concerns stemming from the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges that international teams face when scheduling friendly matches in volatile regions.
The Super Eagles have a history with Iran, having met them twice at the senior level, with Nigeria winning one match and drawing the other. This background adds an intriguing layer to their upcoming encounter, which is set to kick off at 4 p.m. Turkey time.
Following the match against Iran, the Super Eagles will take on Jordan at 8 p.m. Turkey time. These friendlies are crucial for the team as they look to build momentum ahead of future competitions, including the next AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
The first training session for the Super Eagles was held on March 25, allowing the players to acclimatize and prepare for the challenges ahead. With Eric Chelle at the helm as head coach, the team is focused on making a strong impression in these international friendlies.
As the Super Eagles look to navigate these matches without Bassey, the team will need to rely on the depth of their squad and the experience of players like Ndidi to secure positive results. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further changes to the squad as they approach the matches.