Not so often in the past few years can one speak of a Nigerian player who held his own in defence against a top opposition to the extent of earning the accolades of man of the match.
That was however the case when Calvin Bassey came up against Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal in the 2-2 draw where he was picked as the man of the match by fans of the club.
Bassey followed that up with another impressive performance against Real Madrid and this time around he ended up on the winning side as they grind out a 2-1 win over the most decorated team in European club football history.
He is one player who has come a long way from the player who was denied a chance to be a part of the Nigeria U20 team in 2019. Bassey is now viewed as one of the best young defensive prospect in Scotland.
Last season he was impressive in the few games he played as he was making the step up from U23 football in England to Rangers, where he was immediately involved in a title push that ended with his team ending the season without losing a game.
Many expect him to be the main man in defence for Rangers this season with his ability to attack and defend when needed an added advantage against those he is battling with for a starting spot.
Sometimes around last year with recommendation from the now assistant technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Paul Aigbogun, Bassey spoke with the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr.
Rohr assured him that if he progress as expected he will be a part of his squad for the build up to the 2022 World Cup and even the tournament proper if Nigeria makes it to the global event.
With all due respect to the duo of Jamilu Collins and Zaidu Sanusi, who are the first choice at left back , Bassey has what both of them lack in one way of the other particularly the fact that he defends better and also provide coverage to the centre back than the aforementioned duo.
The time to call him up is now with Collins now set to play another season in the German second division with Padeborn due to lack of interest from teams in top division. Zaidu on his part is very much in favour at Porto but Bassey will provide the type of competition to push him to the edge with the senior national team of Nigeria.
