Chukwueze Mocks Calvin Bassey Over Miss In Fulham Win [Video]

Calvin Bassey came close to a rare personal milestone as Fulham edged Burnley 3-2 in a Premier League match, his final outing before linking up with Nigeria for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The centre back almost grabbed a stunning goal, but one late decision in the attacking third has since become a talking point in the Super Eagles camp, sparked by a cheeky but pointed intervention from teammate Samuel Chukwueze.

After winning possession deep inside his own penalty area, Bassey surged through midfield, brushed aside a challenge and shifted the ball onto his favoured left foot.

With options arriving at the far post, including Emile Smith Rowe and Chukwueze himself, the defender chose to shoot. The effort flew well wide, drawing groans and, later, laughter.

Chukwueze did not let the moment pass quietly. Speaking on the Alexander Yaa Digg YouTube channel, the winger revisited the incident with a mix of humour and mock frustration.

“We are in the same Fulham. We have not even gone to AFCON, the ball is already there. You have Maradona and Messi in the same position, and you balloon the ball to Morocco like an amateur player. Even an amateur player cannot balloon the ball like that,” Chukwueze said.

“I was supposed to have a goal and an assist, but I only had an assist because of him. Simple pass, that’s what they teach us in the academy.

“Simple pass and celebrate with me. I am your brother, I am not your enemy. This boy is killing me. Any time I play with him, he doesn’t give me the ball. What did I do to you?”

The playful rant continued, with Chukwueze suggesting Bassey is more generous when Alex Iwobi is in space, before ending with a tongue-in-cheek warning ahead of Nigeria’s Group A opener.

“Alex will be in the same position I am and he will give Alex. But me, because I don’t speak ‘innit’, you pass the ball to ‘innit’ brother. Don’t worry, when I’m fully ‘innit’, it’s over for you,” he said.

“I told him when we get to the national team, we will fight it out.”

Both Bassey and Chukwueze are expected to feature prominently for the Super Eagles when they face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in Tuesday evening’s 2025 AFCON opener, as Nigeria begin their quest for a 4th continental glory.