Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has spoken highly of Nigerian football fans, calling them the most passionate he has ever seen.
The 24-year-old made his Super Eagles[1] debut in 2022 and has since become an important part of the national team. He also had a strong season with Fulham, earning the Player of the Season award under manager Marco Silva.
In a chat with his teammate Alex Iwobi, Bassey compared the atmosphere at club games to the excitement of playing for Nigeria.
“I prefer the Nigerian fans – they’re mad,” Bassey said with a smile.
“They show up two hours before the game with drums, guitars… even paint their whole bodies.
They really bring the energy. They can turn on you if things go badly, but when you’re winning, the support is incredible.”
He added,
“I’ve got to respect them. They show up for every game.”
Bassey’s words show how much he appreciates the dedication and energy of Super Eagles fans, having played a lot of occasions at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
He will likely get another chance to play in front of Nigeria’s home crowd when the team takes on Benin in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
References
- ^ Super Eagles (sportsration.com)