Calvin Bassey’s father, Kingsley Ughelumba, has once again appealed for help to reunite with his four children, including the Super Eagles defender, saying he has been separated from them for more than 18 years, PUNCH Sports Extra, a leading Nigerian publication, has reported.

Ughelumba reopened the long-running appeal in an emotional account, attributing the prolonged estrangement to a breakdown in his relationship with the children’s mother, Ebere Bassey. He had first spoken publicly about the issue two years ago and has now returned with another plea, saying he has been “dying in silence” while still hoping for reconciliation.

The Ihiala Local Government Area indigene in Anambra State said his first three sons, Elvis, Mathew and Calvin, were born in Italy, while his youngest son, Michael, was born in Ireland. According to him, the family later lived briefly in London before marital issues led to their separation.

“We had husband-and-wife arguments. I went to work, and before I returned, she had left with the children,” Ughelumba said in a viral social media interview.

He added that contact was only re-established in 2017 when the children needed Nigerian passports. “She reached out then, I sent all my documents and bought all their flight tickets. When they stayed with me, I never told them their mum did anything to me. She has muted me since he signed for a football club,” he claimed.

Bassey, who came through Leicester City’s youth system, rose to prominence after joining Rangers on a free transfer in July 2020. He made 65 appearances for the Scottish side over two seasons, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.

In July 2022, he moved to Ajax for €23m, then the highest transfer fee in Rangers’ history, before signing for Fulham a year later in a €22m deal. The 26-year-old made his Nigeria debut in March 2022 during the World Cup play-off against Ghana and has since earned 43 caps, featuring prominently at the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Earlier in his career, Bassey was listed under his father’s surname, Ughelumba, but later adopted his mother’s surname and has frequently credited her for her support.

“He’s just not in my life—we lived with him, but that was when I was really young,” Bassey once said. “Since I was six, it has been mum and us boys. I wanted my mum’s name on the back of my shirt as my way of saying thank you.”

Ughelumba also recounted several unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with his children since 2020. He said he travelled from London to Leicester during the COVID-19 period to see Calvin, then at Leicester City, but was unable to gain access.

“When I got to Leicester City, the club welcomed me and called Calvin. There was a name I used to call him when he was small—‘Biggy’. When they called him that, he responded immediately,” he said.

According to him, the meeting eventually ended abruptly after Calvin contacted his mother. “He got upset, told me to say whatever I wanted to say and leave. He said he didn’t want to see me again and drove off.”

Ughelumba further revealed that he travelled from Italy to Abidjan during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in another attempt to see his son.

“During Nigeria vs Angola, a journalist helped link me with the football federation. They gave me tickets, and I watched the match. After that, I went to Abuja to try again, but I still didn’t see him,” he said.

“Since then, I have been dying in silence. I don’t have any problems with my children—it’s just their mum that made me feel bad. Even if I am a devil, I can’t be a devil where my children are.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Fulham defender had yet to respond to his father’s claims.

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A Nigerian sports content creator, Tokoni, has shared an emotional reflection on his experience in Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), praising the warmth, openness and hospitality he encountered throughout the tournament.

According to a report by Moroccan outlet Morocco World News, Tokoni captured his experience in a video shared by Football Fans Tribe, which shows him freely engaging with Moroccan supporters, marked by smiles, conversations, and moments of genuine connection. In one clip, he is seen handing over his Super Eagles jacket to Moroccan fans following an animated discussion about Nigeria and its national team.

Another moment in the video highlights the cultural exchange that defined the tournament, as Tokoni and a Moroccan supporter sing along to a song by Nigerian music star Rema, symbolising the bond forged between fans beyond football rivalry.

The video also features a montage of Tokoni’s experiences across Morocco, including dancing with locals, celebrating in public spaces and reliving the warm reception Nigerian fans received during AFCON 2025.

Reflecting on the tournament, Tokoni urged fans to look beyond the controversial final, stressing that it should not define the competition.

“This is the tip of the iceberg. Everybody who came to visit during the tournament — that final will not define the tournament. Whatever happened in the final, happened. And we move on,” he said.

While acknowledging Senegal’s triumph on the pitch, Tokoni argued that Morocco emerged as the true winner off it.

“The Lions of Teranga may have won the tournament, but in reality, the title should be given to Morocco because they are the Lions of hospitality. This is what Morocco achieved in this tournament,” he added.

He explained that his experience in Morocco stood out from previous tournaments he had attended, largely due to the friendliness and accessibility of the local people.

“I befriended so many locals in Morocco that I didn’t do in previous tournaments I attended, because of how accessible and how simple Moroccan people are,” Tokoni said.

Away from football, he also recalled a personal highlight of his stay — a visit to Ifrane, where he experienced snow for the first time in his life.

“We take away the experience, we take away the positives, the friends we have made and the goals we celebrated,” he noted.

Tokoni also commended Morocco’s sporting infrastructure, singling out the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as one of the finest stadiums in the world. He concluded his message with a note of gratitude to the host nation, saying: “Choukran Morocco. Dima Maghreb.”

The video has since resonated widely online, serving as a reminder that beyond results and rivalries, AFCON 2025 was also defined by shared culture, connection and hospitality.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn Ousmane Keïta, chairman of its Disciplinary Committee, from all proceedings related to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal.

The development was disclosed by Egyptian journalist Mohamed Saïd, who is regarded as being close to CAF’s internal processes. The decision comes amid ongoing reviews of the controversial incidents that marred the final in Rabat, which Senegal won 1–0 after extra time.

The showpiece match was overshadowed by a series of contentious moments, including on-field protests, heated confrontations and post-match scenes that generated widespread debate across the African football community.

Sources indicate that Keïta, a Senegalese national, was stepped aside to eliminate any perception of a conflict of interest and to reinforce confidence in the integrity and transparency of the disciplinary process. CAF’s Vice-President from Kenya has since been appointed to take charge of the case and oversee the investigation.

CAF is currently studying official match reports, video footage and other relevant materials from the final, with possible disciplinary action still under consideration. The continental body has stressed its determination to uphold the integrity of its competitions and ensure respect for match officials and regulations.

No sanctions have been announced so far, but CAF is expected to conclude its deliberations in the coming days, following what has been described as one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent history.

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