AFCON 2025: Calvin Bassey to Miss Rest of Tournament After Yellow Card vs Morocco
- Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey will miss the rest of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after his yellow card vs Morocco
- Bassey is suspended and will not feature for Nigeria in the third-place match, which will be a big miss for Nigeria
- Nigerian football fans questioned the decision of Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea to book him undeservedly
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey is set to miss the rest of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after receiving a yellow card against Morocco.
Bassey arrived in the semi-final match against the Atlas Lions of Morocco as one of the four Super Eagles stars who were at risk of suspension.
Source: Getty Images
Frank Onyeka and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali were the other two players walking on a tight rope with a yellow card who started the match against Morocco.
As noted by ESPN, Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea booked the Fulham defender after a challenge on Morocco’s star man Brahim Diaz in the 33rd minute.
Fans react to Bassey’s yellow card
Nigerians were displeased with Laryea’s decision and voiced their frustration, particularly having raised an alarm over his appointment for the match.
@colinudoh wrote:
“That's a terrible yellow card. Bassey did not touch him. That was a clear simulation.”
@euphoria_sticks wrote:
“CAF, you should cover your face in shame for what your referee at a semi final of this magnitude is doing. Absolute disgrace.”
@folahan_jnr wrote:
“Dear CAF, shame on you. The biggest game of AFCON 2025 tournament has been marred by a referee who can't make the right decisions.”
@omojuwa wrote:
"I didn’t even need a replay to know Diaz dived after pulling Bassey’s shirt but Bassey got carded instead. I genuinely thought he was going to card Diaz for diving. How is that dude a professional referee? How?"
@Algeria_FC wrote:
“After watching the replay, it’s actually a good decision by the ref to give the free kick to Morocco and show Calvin Bassey the yellow card. The rules say you have to let Brahim Diaz and Morocco through on goal.”
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Source: Getty Images
Bassey is now suspended for the next match, the third-place match against Egypt, in what is a big blow for the Super Eagles.
As noted by CAF, Nigeria will face the Pharaohs at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, January 17, 2026, while Morocco will face Senegal in the final on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The Teranga Lions booked their spot in the final after defeating the Pharaohs, thanks to Sadio Mane’s 78th-minute strike to help his country prevail again over familiar foe, Egypt.
Supercomputer predicts AFCON 2025 winner
Legit.ng previously reported that a Supercomputer predicted Morocco to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil ahead of the semi-final.
The Atlas Lions are on course for their second title, after going on a 50-year drought. Nigeria was the third favourite to win among the semi-finalists.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
