Bologna-owned striker names Ajax CB Bassey as the toughest opponent he faced last season
Published: June 06, 2023
Sydney van Hooijdonk, who is the son of Celtic legend Pierre van Hooijdonk, has named Ajax central defender Calvin Bassey as the toughest opponent he faced in the Dutch Eredivisie in the recently concluded season.
Bologna-owned Van Hooijdonk spent the whole of last season on loan at Heerenveen, and ended the campaign with sixteen goals, a tally bettered by only FC Utrecht's Anastasios Douvikas (20) and PSV Eindhoven's Xavi Simons (19).
The 23-year-old faced an Ajax team with Bassey in the lineup twice in 2022-2023, and the Amsterdam club won both games by convincing margins.
Ajax won 5-0 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, before thrashing the same opponents 4-2 at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
Sydney van Hooijdonk found the net when Ajax visited Friesland, heading home in the 79th minute after winning an aerial duel against Bassey.
Although the Super Eagles star has been criticized by fans and pundits for his lack of ball-playing skills, Sydney van Hooijdonk underlined that the former Rangers man offers pace and physicality.
"He is often ridiculed in the Netherlands, but I think Bassey is really tough as a defender," Sydney van Hooijdonk said to Voetbal International, via Ajax Showtime.
"I know that I am certainly not the only Eredivisie striker who thinks so. He is fast, strong and he looks good, I thought that was a really difficult match."
In thirty nine matches across all competitions in the recently concluded season, Bassey managed one goal while producing five assists.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit: ajax.nl
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Racing Genk, FC Sion monitor Flying Eagles at U20 Afcon: Six players who have caught the eye
- Teenage Nigerian forward signs new deal with Charlton Athletic ahead of next season
- 'Fantastic for the academy' - Maresca lauds George and Chelsea rising stars after win v Djurgarden
- Official: Tottenham youth product eligible for Nigeria, Malawi released by Cambridge United
- Clash of titans: Flying Eagles set for U20 Afcon quarterfinal against defending champs Senegal
- Josh Maja: Super Eagles striker capped by Gernot Rohr wins major West Brom award
- Six goals, no starting spot: Umar Sadiq fades from Valencia coach's plans despite impressive form
- Dutch-born Feyenoord product pulls out of Super Eagles squad for Unity Cup after suffering injury
- Tottenham Hotspur manager takes two Nigerian teenagers to Norway for Bodo/Glimt clash
- 'It felt like slow motion' - Tyrique George discusses his first Premier League goal for Chelsea


- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- F168
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88