Despite trailing Rwanda and South Africa in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, Fulham defender, Calvin Bassey, says the Eagles are not under pressure.
The Eagles currently third in the group with two points from two games, head into their matchday three clash against South Africa in search of a win which would revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
Speaking with the Super Eagles media team on Thursday, Bassey noted that Finidi George’s side are yet to play to their best level.
“No, we haven’t lost any game,” Bassey replied when asked if the Eagles are under pressure to beat South Africa.
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“I think everyone knows how good we are. Everyone doubted us at the AFCON and we were able to get to the final. I don’t even feel like we showed them (Nigerians) all of what we have.
“We still have more gears to go. We’ve got a team now that’s been together for two years so we’re building something and people forget that despite our experience.
“We’re still a young team, so it’s just about working on that and making sure that when we have vital moments in a game, we take our chances and god willing, we come away with three points.”
He also warned his teammates against underrating the Bafana Bafana.
The Eagles had defeated Hugo Broos side 4-2 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1 in the semi-finals of the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but they remain undefeated in their two visits to the Godswill Akpabio stadium – the venue of Friday’s encounter.
“You can take confidence from it but at the same time, you can’t look down on them,” Bassey said.
“We know how strong they were because the game went to penalties, we both pushed each other to the extremes. We know what to expect from the game and we are ready, looking forward to the game as well.”
Despite trailing Rwanda and South Africa in Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, Fulham defender, Calvin Bassey, says the Eagles are not under pressure.
The Eagles currently third in the group with two points from two games, head into their matchday three clash against South Africa in search of a win which would revive their World Cup qualification hopes.
Speaking with the Super Eagles media team on Thursday, Bassey noted that Finidi George’s side are yet to play to their best level.
“No, we haven’t lost any game,” Bassey replied when asked if the Eagles are under pressure to beat South Africa.
“I think everyone knows how good we are. Everyone doubted us at the AFCON and we were able to get to the final. I don’t even feel like we showed them (Nigerians) all of what we have.
“We still have more gears to go. We’ve got a team now that’s been together for two years so we’re building something and people forget that despite our experience.
“We’re still a young team, so it’s just about working on that and making sure that when we have vital moments in a game, we take our chances and god willing, we come away with three points.”
He also warned his teammates against underrating the Bafana Bafana.
The Eagles had defeated Hugo Broos side 4-2 on penalties after regulation time ended 1-1 in the semi-finals of the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but they remain undefeated in their two visits to the Godswill Akpabio stadium – the venue of Friday’s encounter.
“You can take confidence from it but at the same time, you can’t look down on them,” Bassey said.
“We know how strong they were because the game went to penalties, we both pushed each other to the extremes. We know what to expect from the game and we are ready, looking forward to the game as well.”
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