Father of Fulham Star Bassey Appeals for Family Reunion

Super Eagles and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey enjoyed a strong AFCON 2025 campaign, but attention has shifted to a family matter after his biological father, Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba, publicly appealed for reconciliation after almost 18 years apart.

He revealed during a TikTok Live interview that a long-running dispute with Bassey’s mother led to him being cut off from all four sons.

Bassey previously explained why he uses his mother’s surname, saying, “My dad? He’s just not in my life…”

Ughelumba said legal efforts in London failed, forcing him to return to Italy. He recalled, “I drove all the way from London to Leicester… When he saw me, he picked up the phone… and told me to say what I had to say, and then leave”.

He insisted his plea was not about money, adding he’s “been dying in silence”. The Fulham centre-back has not responded publicly.