Eguavoen opens up on why he handed starting debuts to Calvin Bassey and Emmanuel Dennis

One of the shock decisions made by Augustine Eguavoen just before the Super Eagles players stepped out on to the MKO Abiola Stadium pitch for the 2022 World Cup playoff versus Ghana was handing a starting debut to Glasgow Rangers youngster Calvin Bassey.

Four days after the versatile Italian-born fullback became cap-tied to the Nigeria Football Federation, he made his full debut for the Super Eagles, with Eguavoen opting to select him over the more experienced Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi.

Bassey was an easy target for criticism from Super Eagles fans and pundits in the aftermath of Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, so much so that he trended on social media for a couple of days last week.

The Leicester City academy product offered something going forward but exhibited defensive frailties and was replaced by a center forward Umar Sadiq in the 88th minute as the Super Eagles searched for a winning goal.

Speaking on SuperSport's Monday Night Football monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Eguavoen explained : "About Bassey, you saw that the left-back in Kumasi (Zaidu Sanusi) didn't really play well, until Bassey came in second half.

"Talking about somebody came to alter my selection that is far from it, it cannot be true.

"The only people I discussed selections with are my backroom staff, then they will give me their own suggestions and then I go and sleep over it and then come up with the final say".

Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis, who set the Premier League alight in the first half of the season, was brought into the starting lineup to replace the injured Samuel Chukwueze.

"We have been clamoring also on the right side, Chukwueze had an injury and then the Watford kid had to come in.

"We see week in, week out Watford what he's doing. I don't think anything wrong for me bringing in Dennis," Eguavoen added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel