Calvin Bassey Confident as Super Eagles Prepare for World Cup Playoff Clash Against Gabon

Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final against the Panthers of Gabon in Rabat on Thursday.

Speaking to Sporty TV, Bassey acknowledged that the team had a slow start in the qualifiers but emphasized that morale and belief have now been fully restored within the squad.

“I think we started very slow, but now hope has been restored. We just have to keep going and take the game as it comes. We are Nigeria — a massive nation — and we understand the expectations and responsibility that come with representing the Super Eagles,” Bassey said.

The Super Eagles finished second in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers, just behind South Africa. Their only remaining route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is to secure the final African qualification slot through the playoff stages.