Calvin Bassey has admitted he hopes to be part of the Super Eagles team to Cameroon.
The youngster says he will be honoured to represent Nigeria at the 2022 tournament.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing in earnest for the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month. Despite the turmoil in the team, the team is still on course to outdo their last performance at the tournament.
For many Nigerians, anything short of a win in the tournament is a failure. The last time the Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations was in 2013, under the tutelage of the late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi. Since that victory, the Super Eagles have laboured to make a credible impression within the continent.
While players are getting into gear for the tournament, the jostling has begun, with players putting themselves in the shop window. There are 28 places in the team for Cameroon, and the competition for places in the squad is at fever pitch. It is despite a 40-man list already sent to CAF.
Any addition to the list before the competition starts will attract a penalty, but it has not stopped some players from dreaming.
Bassey hopes to make the party to Cameroon
With places up for grabs in the team to represent Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations next month, Rangers defender Calvin Bassey has thrown his hat in the ring for a place in the defence line. The 21-year-old has expressed hopes of being a part of the team in Cameroon.
Born in Aosta, Italy, the Rangers defender can play for the Super Eagles. He is not a stranger to the national team, as he accepted an invitation to the Super Eagles during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in October.
For the qualifying matches in November, Gernot Rohr did not invite Bassey. The non-invitation has not prevented the player from setting his sights on making the team to Cameroon next month.
Bassey holds out hope that he could somehow be a part of the contingent to the AFCON.
Hopes of a determined young man
Bassey told the Rangers official website, he is ready to play for the Super Eagles. According to Bassey, he wants to represent the Super Eagles in Cameroon.
Bassey said he is focused on playing for his club, but it is always an honour to play for the national team. He highlighted the timing of the competition as a slight issue with clubs in Europe in the thick of games, but he will be honoured to be in Cameroon with the Super Eagles.
He concluded that his performance at Rangers would determine if he gets a call-up to the Super Eagles for the Nations Cup. Bassey wants to boost his performance at his club to brighten his chances of being in Cameroon.
Joe Aribo is another player who is hoping to make it to Cameroon. The midfielder plays alongside Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun at Rangers.
The Super Eagles are grouped alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in Group D, with their first game coming up on January 11 against the Pharaohs of Egypt.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
