Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey recently found himself in the midst of controversy after posting a photo of himself alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.
Bassey and several other Super Eagles players were gifted plots of lands and honoured with Member of the Order of Niger (MON) by the president, having won a Silver medal at the just-concluded AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast.
The image, shared on X, depicted Bassey and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria together, with the Fulham defender expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet Nigeria’s head of state.
However, what seemed like a moment of pride for Bassey quickly turned into a social media storm, with Nigerians expressing mixed reactions to his caption.
Calvin Bassey was impressive at the back for the Super Eagles in Cote d’Ivoire.
Bassey’s caption, “An honour to meet the Nigerian President,” sparked a wave of criticism from fans and followers.
But some fans on X questioned Bassey’s understanding of Nigerian politics and cautioned him against associating too closely with the President over his reputation.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was blamed by some supporters for Super Eagles AFCON 2023 Final loss.
One user commented: “Congratulations my guy..but you don’t know him.”
Before another user wrote: “There’s nothing Honourable about meeting this man Calvin”
A third comment read: “Honour Ke , just take that as normal protocol to fullfil joor.”
Another user wrote: “Are you new here? Nothing honourable there oo.”
Despite the backlash, Bassey’s on-field performances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the AFCON 2023 tournament earned him praise and recognition.
Alongside his Super Eagles teammates, Bassey played a pivotal role in the team’s journey to the tournament finals in Ivory Coast, showcasing his talent and commitment to representing his country on the international stage.
The 24-year-old defender is expected to return for the Hammers in the Premier League on Saturday, February 17, when they play hosts to Aston Villa at Craven Cottage.
