Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has received widespread praise for his commanding display in Nigeria’s painful semifinal loss to Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday, even as the team bowed out of the competition.
Nigeria were edged out 4–2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes in a tightly contested encounter in Rabat. While many fans lamented the missed chance to reach the final, attention quickly turned to Bassey’s outstanding defensive performance, which kept the hosts at bay for most of the game.
Supporters flooded social media with glowing tributes, describing the Fulham centre-back as a “wall,” “rock,” and a deserving Man of the Match. Several fans highlighted how he consistently frustrated Morocco’s attacking threats, including stars such as Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz.
One commentator on X credited Bassey with 11 clearances and noted that no Moroccan player managed to dribble past him, calling it a heroic showing despite the heartbreak. Another fan thanked him for his commitment throughout the tournament, praising his bravery, composure, and willingness to put his body on the line.
Statistically, Bassey delivered a solid outing, winning six of nine ground duels and helping Nigeria withstand sustained Moroccan pressure. However, a contentious yellow card picked up in the first half means he will miss the third-place playoff against Egypt.
Other social media users went further, labelling him the best centre-back in Africa and describing his display as one of the finest individual defensive performances in recent AFCON history. Some also criticised the officiating, arguing that the booking was unjust and affected Nigeria’s approach to the game.
While acknowledging that Morocco controlled much of the match with 16 shots compared to Nigeria’s two, fans and analysts agreed that Bassey, alongside goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, played a crucial role in keeping the Super Eagles competitive until the final whistle.
In the penalty shootout, Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored for Nigeria, but misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ultimately sealed Morocco’s victory.
Nigeria will now face Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday evening, while Morocco prepares to meet Senegal in Sunday’s final.
