Olaleye IDOWU

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, has said he was dead running up and down in his new role as a right-back in the game against Egypt on Saturday.

The central midfielder was deployed as a right-back following an injury to Bright Osayi-Samuel in the third-place match against Pharaohs.

Dele-Bashiru said there are numerous challenges to playing at right-back for Nigeria, hailing the players who naturally play in that position.

Nigeria recorded a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout against the Pharaohs to secure the bronze medal at the tournament.

Asked about his experience playing in different positions, he said, “Yeah, I’m quite versatile.

“I’m always ready wherever the coach wants me to play. Today, it came as a surprise, but I think I did my best.

“It gave me a lot of respect for people who play right-back because it’s very, very tough running up and down the pitch.

“In the end, I was dead, but yeah, I was just happy that we got the victory,” he said.

Nigeria missed out on a place in the final of the tournament, having been defeated 4-2 on penalties by Morocco on Wednesday.

Senegal and Morocco will play in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Today, Sunday.