Why I disowned my father and started bearing my mum’s name- Calvin Bassey spills

Calvin Bassey, the young Nigerian defender who impressed during the 2023 AFCON in Coted Ivoire, has revealed the reason why his mother’s name, “Bassey,” is on the back of his jerseys instead of his father’s name, Ughelumba.

Calvin Bassey revealed this to some interviewers sometime ago: “My father was not just in my life. I mean, he abandoned us when I was barely six, and my mother singlehandedly took care of me and my two brothers. So, it is only right that I have her name written on my jerseys to show appreciation for singlehandedly raising us, the boys.

The young defender, who is currently playing as a left-back or centre-back for Premier League side Fulham and the Nigerian national team at the time of writing this piece, was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and raised in England.

Calvin Bassey has previously played for Leicester, Rangers, and Ajax before making a record-breaking career move to Fulham, where he is in the form of his life.

So, now that you know why Calvin Bassey doesn’t want to be identified with his father’s name. Do you think he is doing the right thing, or should he go and reconcile with his estranged father, Mr Kingsley Ikenna Ughelumba? Drop your opinion in the comments section below.