‘It's something Semi Ajayi and I talk about’ - Bassey claims Super Eagles working to avoid conceding goals

Nigeria's Super Eagles advanced to the round of 16 after achieving a flawless record in Group C, earning nine points.

Despite their perfect record in the group stage, Nigeria failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their matches. 

Eric Chelle’s team conceded four goals in just three group stage games, leaving the team worried about their defensive vulnerability.

Bassey acknowledged that the goals conceded were preventable and called for a collective improvement in defensive discipline.

"Of course, you always want to keep a clean sheet; it's something Semi [Ajayi] and I talk about," Bassey explained. "Obviously, being the centre-backs, organising... if you look at the games we've played, it's the little details. 

“Now, we have to make sure that going into the next stages, we don't concede those types of goals, and it's a collective effort."

He concluded by highlighting the shared responsibility of the entire team in both attack and defence.

"The attack starts from us, behind, and the defence starts from the boys in front, and they've been doing amazing. We can do more, but it's the little details that we can focus on, and hopefully, we'll concede less."

Nigeria's crucial knockout match against Mozambique is scheduled for Monday, with kick-off at 8:00 PM WAT at the Complexe de Fes.