Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey’s father pleads for reunion after 18 years

Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey, may be shining on the football pitch, but behind the goals and glory lies a deeply emotional family story.

Kingsley Ughelumba, Bassey’s father, has once again gone public, appealing for reconciliation with his son and other children after nearly 18 years of estrangement.

A Father’s Silent Pain

Two years ago, Ughelumba spoke about being cut off from his children. Today, he paints a portrait of a father “dying in silence”, desperately hoping for a chance to reconnect.

Born in Italy, his first three sons—Elvis, Mathew, and Calvin—were followed by youngest, Michael, in Ireland. The family lived briefly in London, but marital disputes led to separation.

“We had husband-and-wife arguments. I went to work, and before I returned, she had left with the children,” Ughelumba recalled.

Although a brief reconnection occurred in 2017 to assist with Nigerian passports, the relationship quickly faltered. Ughelumba has since struggled to communicate or see his children freely.

Attempts at Reconnection

In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, he travelled from London to Leicester to see Calvin, not as a footballer but as a father longing for his son.

“When I got there and he saw me, he called his mum and afterwards he changed. He got upset and told me to say whatever I wanted to say and leave. He said he didn’t want to see me again and drove off.”

Undeterred, Ughelumba also flew from Italy to Abidjan during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, hoping to watch Calvin play and attempt another reunion—but again, he was unable to connect.

“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,” he said.

Calvin’s Career Journey

Despite the absence of his father, Calvin has carved out an impressive career:

• Signed for Dutch side Ajax in 2022 for €23m

• Moved to English Premier League club Fulham in 2023 for €22m

• Made 43 caps for Nigeria, debuting in March 2022

• Credited his mother for his success, adopting her surname professionally

“Since I was six, it has been mum and us boys. I knew that if I got the chance to put my name on the back of a shirt, I wanted it to be my mum’s name—my way of saying thank you.”

A Father’s Hope

Ughelumba’s plea is simple yet heartfelt: he longs to rebuild bonds and watch his children grow—not as distant figures, but as a family reunited.

“I have not seen my children for a long time… I just want to be part of their lives.”

This story is a reminder that behind every athlete’s glory lies a personal narrative of love, struggle, and hope for reconciliation.