Cyriel Dessers, a talented forward, has been carrying the Super Eagles badge for five years without stepping onto the field in an official match. His debut in October 2020 marked the beginning of a bittersweet journey filled with goals and near misses.
In a friendly match against Tunisia, Dessers showcased his skills, but it was in another friendly against Algeria that he truly shined by scoring his first international goal. The Unity Cup in London further highlighted his talent when he scored a crucial goal against Ghana and provided an assist in the final match against Jamaica.
Despite these impressive performances, all of Dessers’ achievements have come in non-competitive matches. Reflecting on this, he expressed his disappointment, saying,
“It hurts sometimes. It feels disappointing.”
Acknowledging Nigeria’s depth of attacking talent as a contributing factor to his limited opportunities, Dessers remained hopeful yet realistic about his chances. He lamented being overlooked for competitive fixtures like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments in 2021 and 2023 where he believed he deserved a spot.
Dessers humbly recognized the tough competition within the team, especially highlighting Victor Osimhen’s leading role as Nigeria’s primary striker. Despite feeling deserving of a call-up for previous AFCON tournaments based on his form at the time, Dessers maintained an understanding attitude towards selection decisions.
Expressing his ambition to represent Nigeria at the highest level, Dessers eagerly anticipates being called up for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September. He emphasized his commitment to proving himself on the field and fulfilling his dream of playing an official game for Nigeria.
As he eagerly awaits that coveted call-up to showcase his abilities on a competitive stage, Cyriel Dessers remains determined to make significant contributions to the Super Eagles whenever given the opportunity.
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