By John Essien
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey endured a poor start to life in Netherlands as he was shown a red card in his side lost in an eight-goal thriller to PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup.
Bassey came on as substitute for Owen Wijndal in the 76th minute and was handed his marching order after a lunging tackle on Ismael Saibari.
And just seven minutes into his introduction, Ajax conceded two quick-fire goals as PSV took the lead.
Ajax had taken the lead through Steven Bergwijn in the 15th minute before Guus Til equalised for PSV.
Til added his second just before the break in the 47th minute. Antony scored Ajax’s equaliser seven minutes after restart before Cody Gakpo scored the third in the 65th minute, three minutes after Bassey’s introduction.
The Dutchman, Til completed his hat trick in the 69th minute to keep the game at 4-2. Ajax attempted a comeback when Ghanaian international, Mohammed Kudus reduced the deficit and made the scoreline 4-3 in the 72nd minute.
Four minutes after Ajax reduced the deficit, Bassey picked a red card for an offense that was initially registered for a yellow. A VAR review ensured the former Rangers man and Nigeria’s most expensive player in this window got his exit orders.
