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Nigeria’s preparations for their upcoming international friendlies have suffered an early setback after Calvin Bassey withdrew from the squad with a back injury, Footynaija reports.
The absence of the Fulham defender leaves head coach Eric Chelle to reshuffle his defensive options just days before the games in Turkey.
The Super Eagles centreback had originally been included in the 23-man list for matches against Iran and Jordan, but medical concerns forced him to pull out after arriving in camp.
Calvin Bassey has withdrawn from the Nigeria national football team squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan due to a back injury.
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 25, 2026
Wishing you a speedy recovery, CB 💚. pic.twitter.com/NCgbk0S8xn
The 26-year-old is expected to spend time recovering, with a view to returning in time to support Fulham as they push for a possible European place in the closing stages of the Premier League season.
His withdrawal comes at a time when the Nigerian camp in Antalya is beginning to take shape, with 21 players already present and involved in training sessions. The group held their first full workout on Wednesday, giving Chelle an early opportunity to assess his squad ahead of Friday’s clash with Iran and the subsequent meeting with Jordan on March 31.
Among those already in camp are key figures such as Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, alongside a mix of regulars and newer faces. Players like Paul Onuachu, Semi Ajayi and Frank Onyeka add experience, while invitations handed to emerging talents such as Emmanuel Fernandez, Yira Sor and Philip Otele point to a broader evaluation of options within the squad.
Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye are also part of the group already on the ground, as the coaching staff continue to monitor competition in that department. The camp has gradually filled up since the first arrivals on Tuesday, with only captain Wilfred Ndidi expected to complete the roster soon.
Whether a replacement will be called up to cover for Bassey remains unclear, but Nigeria’s immediate attention is firmly on building cohesion within the 21 players currently available as they step up preparations for the double-header in Antalya.
