Fulham’s Calvin Bassey has shared his excitement after netting his first-ever goal for Nigeria in their 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
The 25-year-old defender grabbed the equaliser for the Super Eagles on Tuesday, heading in Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s cross just before the half-time whistle.
Bassey later celebrated the milestone on social media, where he expressed both pride and hope for the team’s future in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
“Honoured to wear this shirt and score my first goal. We didn’t win but we keep believing, if anyone can do it, it is God,” he wrote.
Despite Nigeria’s shaky form in the qualifiers, the versatile defender remains optimistic about the team’s chances.
So far, Bassey has earned 32 international caps with the Super Eagles.
Nigeria’s World Cup dreams suffered another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles fell behind early when captain William Troost-Ekong inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Bafana Bafana the lead.
However, defender Calvin Bassey rose high at left-back to level the scores for Nigeria.
Substitute Tolu Arokodare came close to putting Nigeria ahead shortly after replacing Cyriel Dessers at halftime, but his half-volley narrowly missed the target.
Despite a late push in the final ten minutes and seven added minutes of stoppage time, the Eagles could not create any clear chances, leaving South Africa in a strong position to secure sole qualification from the group.
With just 11 points from eight matches, Nigeria’s chances of reaching the continental playoffs are slim, even if they win their final two fixtures.
Following the match, the Nigeria Football Federation openly criticised striker Dessers and captain Troost-Ekong.
The Eagles, needing a win to revive their fading World Cup hopes, were further hampered by Ola Aina’s early exit in the eighth minute.
In a post-match statement released to journalists by NFF Director of Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, Dessers was singled out for poor performance. “Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack,” the statement read.
The NFF also criticised Troost-Ekong for conceding the opening goal that gave South Africa the advantage.