Omotayo Fashola
Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru revealed the physical toll of his unexpected shift to right-back during Nigeria’s thrilling third-place clash against Egypt, describing the role as grueling yet rewarding.
The midfielder was thrust into defensive duties after Bright Osayi-Samuel’s injury, forcing him to adapt quickly in a high-stakes encounter.
Dele-Bashiru praised Nigeria’s natural full-backs, acknowledging the immense demands of the position after experiencing firsthand the relentless sprinting required.
The Super Eagles clinched bronze in dramatic fashion, overcoming Egypt 4-2 in a tense penalty shootout following a goalless draw.
Reflecting on his versatility, he stated, “I’m adaptable to whatever role the team needs.”
“While the right-back assignment caught me off guard, I gave everything. The physical demands gave me newfound appreciation for specialists in that position.
“By full-time I was completely drained, but the victory made it all worthwhile,” the exhausted midfielder admitted.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign ended bittersweetly after their semifinal penalty shootout defeat to eventual finalists Morocco.
The continental showdown now shifts to Sunday’s championship decider between Senegal and Morocco.
