Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has said the Nigerian team will give everything to defeat Egypt in the third-place match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite their painful semi-final exit.
Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the final were dashed on Wednesday night in Rabat after a narrow defeat to hosts Morocco. Bassey, who delivered a standout defensive performance in the match, played a key role in neutralising Moroccan forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
Reflecting on the loss, the Fulham defender expressed pride in the team’s effort and resilience throughout the tournament, describing the defeat as a difficult but motivating moment for the squad.
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“We thank God in all situations. A gutting way to end the tournament,” Bassey wrote on X. “The support and togetherness we’ve felt have been special. Sorry, we couldn’t take it all the way, but we fought and gave it our all. We’ll build on this. Not finished yet, we still have something to push for.”
The 26-year-old stressed that the Super Eagles remain focused on finishing the competition strongly when they face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the third-place playoff.
The encounter is scheduled for Saturday at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca.
However, Bassey will not feature in the match against Egypt after picking up a suspension, a setback for the Nigerian side as they aim to end their AFCON campaign on a positive note.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
