Nigeria’s most expensive defender a major doubt for Super Eagles’ clash versus Portugal

Ajax defender Calvin Bassey is in a race against time to be fit for the international friendly between Nigeria and Portugal.

The Super Eagles play their last match of the year 2022 against Portugal inside the 50,000-capacity Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon today, Thursday, 17 November.

Already ruled out of the encounter are in-form Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, Torino fullback Ola Aina, and Portugal defender Zaidu Sanusi.

Head coach Jose Peseiro could also be without former Rangers man Calvin Bassey.

Bassey picked up a knock and was replaced at halftime during Ajax’s league game at FC Emmen at the weekend.

Despite the physical problem, the Leicester City academy product reported to the Nigerian camp in Lisbon on Monday.

But Bassey has struggled in training and faces a late fitness test ahead of the Super Eagles’ encounter with Portugal.

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, however, hopes Bassey is fit to help Nigeria stop Portugal’s attack.

“We have rested him and I hope he can play,” Peseiro told NFF TV.

“Tomorrow, he will have a test to know whether he can play or not.”

Bassey became Nigeria’s most expensive defender in history when he moved from Glasgow Rangers to Ajax Amsterdam in the summer for 23 million euros.