Super Eagles: Calvin Bassey’s stunning record under Chelle at risk vs Portugal

Calvin Bassey will carry one of the most impressive records in the Super Eagles squad when Nigeria face Portugal in an international friendly on June 10, Afrik-Foot reports.

Since Eric Chelle took charge of Nigeria in January 2025, the Fulham defender has become something of a lucky charm for the national team. Whenever Bassey has played, either from the start or as a substitute, Nigeria have avoided defeat in normal time.

The statistic has quietly grown into one, among a few, of the most remarkable individual records of the Chelle era.

The Malian coach has overseen 27 matches across different competitions, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers, international friendlies, the Africa Cup of Nations and the African Nations Championship. While Chelle suffered two defeats with the CHAN side, his main Super Eagles team remain unbeaten in regulation time.

Bassey has played a major role in that run. The 25-year-old has featured in 15 matches under Chelle and Nigeria have not lost any of them within 90 minutes.

Nine of those games ended in victories, while six finished level. During that period, Bassey helped the Super Eagles keep six clean sheets and established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

His latest appearance came in Warsaw on Wednesday when he replaced Bruno Onyemaechi at half-time during Nigeria’s entertaining 2-2 draw against Poland. Bassey helped steady the Super Eagles defence as Nigeria came within seconds of clinching another memorable win over the Robert Lewandowski-skippered Europeans.

Penalty shootout defeats to DR Congo in November and Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations do not count towards the record because both matches were drawn after regulation time.

The streak now stands intact, but perhaps its toughest examination is just days away.

Huge Portugal challenge for Calvin Bassey and the Super Eagles

Nigeria travel to Leiria to face a Portugal side ranked fifth in the world and packed with elite talent.

The match at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa is expected to serve as Portugal’s final major preparation game before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Roberto Martínez’s squad includes experienced stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Rafael Leão and Rúben Dias.

Portugal enter the fixture as favourites, having built one of the strongest squads in international football. Recent results have demonstrated their quality, while Nigeria arrive encouraged by wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica and a hard-fought draw against Poland.

However, the game against Portugal carries memories Bassey would rather forget.

The defender played the full 90 minutes when Portugal crushed Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon in November 2022. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário also found the net in what became one of Nigeria’s heaviest defeats since independence.

On that occasion, Bassey operated at left-back, with William Troost-Ekong and Kevin Akpoguma playing centrally.

The situation is very different now. Bassey has matured into a commanding centre-back and one of the leaders of Chelle’s defensive structure. He is expected to start in the heart of the defence against Portugal, where his pace, physicality and reading of the game could be crucial in containing Ronaldo and Portugal’s dangerous attacking unit.

Nigeria will also take confidence from the progress made under Chelle. The current Super Eagles side appears more organised, tactically disciplined and mentally resilient than the Jose Peseiro-tutored team that suffered heavily against Portugal four years ago.

Predicted line-ups suggest Bassey could stand alongside Semi Ajayi in central defence, with Maduka Okoye likely to continue in goal.

Portugal remain favourites on paper, but if Nigeria can frustrate Martínez’s side and extend their recent unbeaten run, Bassey’s remarkable Chelle-era record will survive another major test.

If Portugal secure victory, however, one of the Super Eagles’ most fascinating streaks will finally come to an end.