Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey enjoyed a memorable night as Fulham knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory at Old Trafford.
The Cottagers secured their spot in the quarterfinals after regulation time ended 1-1, with Bassey playing a starring role.
The 25-year-old, making his first-ever FA Cup appearance, opened the scoring with a powerful header that stunned the home crowd.
It was a familiar scene, as Bassey had also scored at Old Trafford just over a year ago in Fulham’s 2-1 Premier League win over United.
Bruno Fernandes later equalised for Manchester United but after tied at 1-1 after extra time, Fulham won the lottery of spot kicks.
Bassey’s impressive display sparked a frenzy on social media, with Nigerian fans and football enthusiasts taking to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate his performance.
Bassey scores against Manchester United again
With two of his three Fulham goals coming at the iconic stadium, fans jokingly suggested that the Nigerian defender has a special liking for scoring against the Red Devils.
Some fans poked fun at Manchester United’s hopes of retaining the FA Cup, suggesting they had not accounted for Bassey’s influence.
Others argued that the Nigerian international deserves more recognition, with some calling him one of the most underrated defenders in the Premier League.
Memes flooded social media, particularly referencing “Iftar”—the Islamic meal for breaking fast—humorously claiming that Bassey’s goal was the “meal” Nigerians used to “cook” Manchester United.
His commanding display has further endeared him to Nigerian supporters, who are now hoping he can replicate his goal-scoring form for the Super Eagles in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
While some fans urged Bassey to carry his fine form into the national team, others were busy trying to convince him to join their club.
With performances like this, the Nigerian defender continues to rise in stature, proving himself on the biggest stages.
