Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has come under growing criticism from Nigerian fans and pundits after failing to reclaim his starting position at Fulham following his return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON in Morocco.
Bassey was a standout performer for Nigeria during the tournament, delivering commanding displays, including a stellar performance in the semi-final against hosts Morocco. Many expected the 26-year-old to slot straight back into Fulham’s first XI after rejoining the club in late January.
However Fulham manager Marco Silva has limited Bassey to late substitute appearances or kept him on the bench in recent Premier League fixtures, including matches against Brighton and Manchester United. Silva cited the strong form of Jorge Cuenca, who stepped in during Bassey’s absence, as a reason for maintaining his place in the team. “Cuenca has stepped in. It’s competition, and Cuenca knows the pro he’s up against,” Silva explained.
Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba suggested that fatigue from a congested schedule and international duty may also be contributing factors, noting that players sometimes need rest after major tournaments.
Despite this, Nigerian fans have expressed frustration on social media over Bassey’s sidelining. Many questioned why one of the country’s most consistent defenders and AFCON heroes is being overlooked.
Photojournalist Pooja Media wrote, “Calvin Bassey starts on the bench again for Fulham. Make Marco Silva no kee the juice he brought from the AFCON na.” Another fan Pamela Taiye Ilekhuoba added, “Calvin Bassey is no longer starting for Fulham just because he went for AFCON Imagine the best defender of a tournament still benched by a club like Fulham.”
Supporters continue to debate the situation with some pointing to the “replacement effect,” where a player returning from absence loses their spot if the substitute performs well.
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