Nigeria’s preparations for their upcoming international friendlies have suffered a setback following the withdrawal of key defender Calvin Bassey due to injury.
The versatile Fulham F.C. star sustained a back problem during his side’s impressive 3-1 victory over Burnley F.C. in the Premier League last weekend. The injury has now ruled him out of the Super Eagles squad set to face Iran and Jordan in international friendlies.
Bassey’s absence is a significant blow for head coach Eric Chelle, who had been counting on the defender’s strength, versatility, and recent good form to stabilize Nigeria’s backline. With limited time before the first match, Chelle is expected to stick with the current squad rather than call up a late replacement.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to take on Iran on Friday before facing Jordan in their second friendly, fixtures designed to fine-tune the team ahead of future competitive engagements. Bassey’s withdrawal means the coaching crew will now have to explore other defensive options within the squad.
In a positive development for the team, captain Wilfred Ndidi has arrived at the team’s training camp in Antalya, where preparations are already in full swing. His arrival brings the total number of players in camp to 22, signaling near full attendance as the team gears up for the friendlies.
Ndidi, who is currently on the books of Beşiktaş J.K., is expected to play a key leadership role both on and off the pitch. The experienced midfielder is also in line to feature in the team’s first training session, where the technical crew will begin tactical drills and assess player fitness.
The Super Eagles’ camp has been gradually filling up over the past few days, with players arriving in batches as the team builds momentum ahead of the matches. The friendlies present an opportunity for Chelle to evaluate his squad, test combinations, and integrate new players into the system.
Despite the setback of losing Bassey, the coaching staff remains focused on making the most of the available talent, with fans eager to see how the team performs in these preparatory fixtures.
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