Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported on Thursday that Bassey was behind Porto star Zaidu Sanusi in manager Augustine Eguavoen's pecking order of left-backs, even though he impressed during the team's final workout before the trip to Kumasi.
Wearing the number 18 at the back of his jersey, Bassey entered the game as a substitute in the 74th minute to replace Sanusi for his first international appearance.
The 22-year-old was previously qualified to represent his country of birth Italy and England where he grew up.
He was called up for the World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic last October but was an unused substitute in both matches.
His debut for the Super Eagles was inevitable given his outstanding performances for Rangers in the current season, having forced his way into the starting lineup on a permanent basis, benefiting from the absence of Leon Balogun who was recovering from a back issue.
It was a bold decision by Eguavoen to hand Bassey his debut with the scoreline goalless and on a difficult pitch but the youngster weathered the storm in twenty minutes of action including stoppage time.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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