FULHAM defender Calvin Bassey has joined the list of Nigerians with 100 Premier League appearances, reaching the milestone during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, News Point Nigeria Sport reports.
Bassey played the full 90 minutes at Portman Road in what was his sixth league appearance of the season. He became the 28th player to make 100 league appearances for Fulham and the second Nigerian to achieve the feat for the club, after his Super Eagles teammate Alex Iwobi, who has made 103 appearances.
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The 26-year-old has scored three goals and provided one assist in his 100 Premier League games, accumulating 8,411 minutes on the pitch. Including cup competitions, Bassey has featured 108 times for Fulham, scoring four goals.
Bassey came through the Leicester City academy before going on to play 65 games for Rangers and 39 for Ajax. He joined Fulham from Ajax in July 2023.
According to Transfermarkt, 16 Nigerian players had reached the 100-appearance mark in the Premier League before Bassey. Iwobi leads the list with 320 appearances, followed by Shola Ameobi with 299, Nwankwo Kanu with 272, Yakubu Aiyegbeni with 252 and John Obi Mikel with 249.
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Other Nigerians on the list include Joseph Yobo, with 228 appearances; Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Moses, with 220 each; Kelechi Iheanacho, with 196; Jay-Jay Okocha, with 124; and Ola Aina, with 109.
However, Bassey’s personal milestone came on a disappointing afternoon for Fulham, who suffered a late collapse after appearing poised to secure their first league victory of the season.
Ryan Sessegnon had put Fulham ahead in the 55th minute, raising hopes of a first league win, but Ipswich mounted a late comeback, with Abdoul Ouattara equalising in the 88th minute before captain Dara O’Shea scored the decisive goal in the 92nd minute.
Iwobi, who started his sixth league game of the season, had been substituted in the 87th minute, with Emile Smith Rowe coming on in his place shortly before Ipswich’s late turnaround.
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The defeat leaves Fulham in the relegation zone with just two points from six games, increasing the pressure on head coach Álvaro Arbeloa as he continues his search for a first victory in charge.
