Footballer, Bassey’s estranged father has resurfaced with one other emotional attraction, two years after first talking publicly about being lower off from his kids, saying he’s nonetheless holding on to hope for reconciliation and is now “dying in silence.”
The person, a local of Ihiala Native Authorities Space of Anambra State, defined that his first three sons, Elvis Ughelumba, Mathew Ughelumba and Calvin, have been born in Italy, whereas his youngest, Michael, was born in Eire.
He mentioned the household briefly lived collectively in London earlier than marital issues led to their separation.
Bassey’s father speaks on motive for his or her separation
In line with him, the state of affairs escalated abruptly after a disagreement along with his spouse.
“We had husband-and-wife arguments. I went to work and earlier than I returned, she had left with the kids,” Ughelumba mentioned throughout a social media interview that has since gone viral.
He added that contact between them solely resumed years later, when his kids wanted Nigerian passports.
“She solely reached out in 2017 when my kids wanted Nigerian passports. I despatched all my paperwork and purchased all their flight tickets. Once they stayed with me then, I by no means advised them their mum did something to me. She has muted me since he signed for a soccer membership.”
Calvin Bassey’s soccer profession trajectory
Calvin Bassey, who got here by means of Leicester Metropolis’s youth system, rose to prominence after becoming a member of Rangers on a free switch in July 2020. He went on to make 65 appearances for the Scottish membership, successful each the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup.
In July 2022, he accomplished a €23m transfer to Ajax, a deal that was then the most costly in Rangers’ historical past. He later returned to England in 2023, signing for Fulham in a €22m switch.
The 26-year-old defender made his Tremendous Eagles debut in March 2022 throughout Nigeria’s World Cup play-off in opposition to Ghana and has since earned 43 caps, turning into an everyday determine on the final two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Bassey on why he adopted his mom’s surname
Earlier in his profession, Bassey was listed beneath his father’s surname, Ughelumba, however later adopted his mom’s surname and has repeatedly credited her for standing by him all through his soccer journey.
“He’s simply not in my life — we lived with him, however that was after I was actually younger,” Bassey as soon as mentioned when requested about his father.
“Since I used to be six, it has been mum and us boys. I knew that if I obtained the possibility to place my title on the again of a shirt, I needed it to be my mum’s title—my means of claiming thanks.”
Ughelumba, visibly emotional, additionally spoke about a number of unsuccessful makes an attempt to reconnect along with his kids since 2020.
“I’ve not seen my kids for a very long time,” he mentioned.
He recalled driving from London to Leicester in the course of the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to see his son.
“Throughout COVID in 2020, I drove all the way in which from London to Leicester when Calvin was enjoying there. I wasn’t searching for him as a result of he was a footballer; I needed to see my first son, however I didn’t have entry as a result of their mom had modified every thing. I didn’t have their numbers or something.”
He mentioned Leicester Metropolis officers helped facilitate contact on the time.
“Once I obtained to Leicester Metropolis, the membership welcomed me and referred to as Calvin. There was a reputation I used to name him when he was small—‘Biggy’. Once they referred to as him that, he responded instantly.”
“I spoke to him and he gave me an tackle. Once I obtained there and he noticed me, he referred to as his mum and afterwards he modified. He obtained upset and advised me to say no matter I needed to say and depart. He mentioned he didn’t need to see me once more and drove off.”
Ughelumba additional disclosed that he travelled from Italy to Côte d’Ivoire in the course of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in one other try to reconnect.
“Throughout Nigeria vs Angola, a journalist helped hyperlink me with the soccer federation. They gave me tickets and I watched the match. After that, I went to Abuja to strive once more, however I nonetheless didn’t see him,” he mentioned.
Reflecting on his ordeal, he added, “Since then, I’ve been dying in silence. I don’t have any issues with my kids, it’s simply their mum that made me really feel unhealthy. Even when I’m a satan, I can’t be a satan the place my kids are.”
As of the time of this report, the Fulham defender has not reacted publicly to his father’s claims.
Watch the video beneath …
Man claiming to be the organic father of Tremendous Eagles’ Calvin Bassey goes dwell with Hellen of Kenya to attraction to the general public to beg his spouse and youngsters to forgive him and let him be near his household once more. pic.twitter.com/mHFqpsA5Vt
— Metro Naija (@metronaija) January 26, 2026
