Calvin Bassey almost scored his first career brace during Fulham's thrilling 3-2 victory against  Burnley in his last game before reporting for Africa Cup of Nations duty,

The central defender's decision-making in the final third became the subject of animated debate as the Super Eagles made their way to training last week, thanks to some blunt but playful remarks from his Fulham teammate Samuel Chukwueze.

Winning the ball deep inside his own box, Bassey powered through midfield, shrugged off his marker and cut inside onto his favoured left foot. 

With teammates arriving at the back post, including Emile Smith Rowe and Chukwueze, Bassey opted against the square pass, instead blazing his effort wildly towards goal.

Bassey's choice to shoot rather than pick out a teammate did not go unnoticed by Chukwueze.

Speaking on the Alexander Yaa Digg YouTube channel, the winger did not hold back as he reflected on the incident, mixing humour with visible irritation.

"We are in the same Fulham. We have not even gone to Afcon, the ball is already there. You have Maradona and Messi in the same position and you balloon the ball to Morocco, like an amateur player. Even an amateur player cannot balloon the ball like that," Chukwueze said. 

"I was supposed to have a goal and an assist, but I only had an assist because of him. Simple pass, that's what they teach us in the academy.

"Simple pass and celebrate with me. I am your brother, I am not your enemy. This boy is killing me. Any time I play with him, he doesn't give me the ball. What did I do to you?"

Chukwueze went on to joke that Bassey appears more willing to pass to Alex Iwobi in similar positions, before ending with a tongue-in-cheek warning ahead of Nigeria's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener against Tanzania.

"Alex will be in the same position I am and he will give Alex. But me, because I don't speak 'innit', you pass the ball to 'innit' brother. Don't worry, when I'm fully ‘innit’, it's over for you.

"I told him when we get to the national team, we will fight it out."

Chukwueze and Bassey are set to start for Nigeria in Tuesday evening's Afcon clash with Tanzania's Taifa Stars. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel