Bassey hoping to play at the AFCON

Calvin Bassey of the Rangers (L) during the UEFA Europa League group A match Brondby IF - Glasgow Rangers FC

Sunday Dec 05, 2021. 16:00

Rangers defender Calvin Bassey is hoping to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Though he was born in Aosta, Italy, Bassey is eligible for the Super Eagles and accepted a call-up to their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches in October.

The 21-year-old missed out on making his senior international debut and was not called for the last block of qualifiers in November.

But this has not deterred the player from aiming to play at the AFCON in Cameroon in January and February of 2022.

“Yeah of course,” Bassey replied when asked if he wanted to play at the Nations Cup, as quoted by Rangers’ official website.

“It’s always an honour to represent your country. Obviously, the timing’s a bit hard because we’ve got games but right now, I’m just fully focussed at the club.”

He added, “At the end of the day, if I do well here, that’s what helps me get called up to Nigeria, so I’m just focussed on the club and giving my best performance, taking each day as it comes.

“Whatever happens, when we get to that stage, we’ll look at it and see what’s best for me and take it from there.”

The youngster isn’t the only Rangers player eyeing up the continental competition, with Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo both looking to feature for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria will face Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in Group D of the AFCON, getting their campaign underway on January 11 with a clash against the Pharaohs in Garoua.