Soccer
Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi goal celebrations during the Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage. Photo by Pedro Soares. Copyright: xPedroxSoaresxIMAGO
Former Super Eagles and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sunday Oliseh has heaped praise on two Fulham stars ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 semi-final clash against Morocco, Soccernet.ng reports.
Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi have been instrumental in Nigeria’s unbeaten run up until the semi-final, but it’s the centre-back that impressed Sunday Oliseh the most.
The 26-year-old has played in every AFCON game so far, and has been a rock at the back, helping Stanley Nwabali keep two clean sheets. The Chippa United goalkeeper hasn’t made a save since the knockout rounds of the tournament started.
Now heading into the semi-final against the host nation, Oliseh has urged Bassey to continue his good form.
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Soccer Fulham stars: Sunday Oliseh lauds Calvin Bassey
Speaking ahead of Nigeria’s semi-final clash against Morocco, the AFCON 1994 winner mentioned the Moroccans do not have to be scared of just Osimhen alone, but the entire squad, while naming Bassey as the most improved player in Eric Chelle’s setup.
“Nigeria is not Victor Osimhen, Nigeria is eleven players. Over the past 20 years, I haven’t seen the team play like this against Uganda, Tanzania, Tunisia, Mozambique and Algeria. Its extra ordinary,” the former Juventus midfielder said on Sunday Oliseh’s global insight football podcast.
“How many saves has Nwabali made? He’s been on holiday, which tells you how good they’ve been.
“A player no one is talking about that has impressed me so much is Calvin Bassey.
“My God! This boy has totally grown. He’s a rock, confident. In fact, he’s a man. Throw anything at him, he’ll handle it, well complemented with Ajayi in the middle.
“Good strikers are good, but nothing makes you win tournaments like your defence and your midfielders.
“Iwobi runs the game like an orchestra, and honestly, it makes me laugh. It’s so pleasant to watch,” the 51-year-old continued.
Super Eagles: Oliseh lauds Morocco’s infrastructural organisation
While playing up the Super Eagles’ ability and supporting them to go all the way in Morocco, the former Nigeria captain lauded the host nation for making the AFCON 2025 experience noteworthy.
“This is the best AFCON in the last 20 years. The quality of the football has been high, but I think it has to do with the infrastructure as well, because I’ve been on the pitch so many times, and each time, it looks as if the turf were just made.
“It’s just as good as those of the World Cup in Qatar, if not better. You can ask the players; it’s a reality.
“African football has matured, and it’s the future of football. This tournament will usher in a new era, the referees are allowing the ball to roll, and people will imitate what is going on in Africa.
“The countries are all being managed by Africans. It’s more interesting than the Euros.
“The show starts with music in the tunnel, there’s dancing, and there’s music. The quality of the dribbling, and everything.
“We play differently, that’s Africa for you, you can’t compare. What was lacking in the past was infrastructure, but now, that’s out of the way. What’s left now is for the local leagues to kick off. The revolution has started,” Oliseh concluded.
The game between Nigeria and Morocco will be played at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, with kick-off slated for 9:00 PM WAT.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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