Cyriel Dessers has expressed his disappointment that he is yet to feature in a competitive game for the Super Eagles after making his debut five years ago.
Dessers made his Super Eagles debut in a 1-1 friendly draw against Tunisia in October 2020.
He scored his first international goal in another friendly against Algeria just days later.
In the just concluded Unity Cup in London, Dessers scored one of the goals in the 2-1 win against Ghana and provided an assist in the final against Jamaica which ended 2-2. The Super Eagles went on to win 5-4 on penalties.
He has bagged four goals in seven appearances for the three-AFCON winners – all in non-competitive matches.
“It hurts sometimes. It feels disappointing,” the forward said in an interview with ModZero Sports (via ESPN).
“I’ve been in and around the squad for five years now, and I haven’t played an official game yet – just friendlies. I am going to say that hurts.”
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He acknowledged that the depth of Nigeria’s attacking talent has been a factor, but admitted his disappointment at being overlooked for competitive matches, including the last two Africa Cup of Nations (2021, 2023) tournaments where he belived he deserved a call-up.
“There are always a lot of different factors,” he said. “You have a few strikers, for example Victor Osimhen who is the clear number one, and it always depends on form, on choices, on personal opinion.
“But I would say the two Afcons I missed out on really hurt because I felt like at that time with my form I had a place in the squad. But it’s a big country, there’s a lot of competition, we have a lot of good strikers.
“I am not making the choices, the only thing I can do is perform, score my goals at my club, show that I am ready and when called up, show what I can do for the team and how I can help the team with goals and also with hard work and dedication.”
The Rangers striker is hoping that he will be called up to Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September.
He added: “I’m hoping to get a call up in September, I will do everything to get a call up in September and finally get the chance to play an official game, meet the fans and make one of my dreams come true.”
8 Comments
That is the definition of Nigeria for you Dessers.
Those who rule Nigeria are not going to do things the way they should be, which is on merit.
I think we have to start pointing fingers now. We have to call their name out.
Eguavoen, in particular, is a major problem/NFF.
But you have exposed them through your performance during the Unity Cup, and every Nigerian wants to see you representing Nigeria at the Afcon and World Cup qualifiers.
God has fought your battles and you are untouchable. Your matter has gone beyond Eguavoen and NFF because God is in control of your matters.
My advice for you is do not relax. Be on top of your game at all times. We are watching Eguavoen and NFF very closely. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
IT IS SENTIMENT OF COACH EQUAVOEN & QUOTA SYSTEM OF NFF KEEPING CYRIEL DESSERS OUT OF SUPER EAGLE.. THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW THAT THE QUALITY & POTENTIAL OF CYRIEL DESSERS IS FAR FAR BETTER THAN ONUACHU, SADIQ-UMAR, AWONIYI, IHEANACHO, BONIFACE.
##CYRIEL DESSERS WAS A HIGHEST GOALS SCORER IN DUTCH LEAGUE WITH HERACLES IN YEAR 2019/2020 SEASON.
## HE WAS HIGHEST GOALS SCORER IN FIRST NEWLY INAUGURATED UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE IN 2022/2023 SEASON WITH FEYERNOORD.
BUT COACH EQUAVOEN HAS TO COME OUT AND TELL NIGERIAN THAT HE DIDN’T KNOW HIM, HASN’T WATCH HIM PLAY BEFORE, AND NOT HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT HIM BEFORE. WHAT A SENTIMENTAL & USELESS COACH. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Bro in as much as I love dessers, don’t you think putting iheanacho in that mix is a bit disrespectful…
Iheanacho dey deliver him polling unit when called upon o….tho not consistent but that is soccer for you….
TRULY IF WE LOOK AT HIS ANTECEDENTS & PERFORMANCES IN NATIONAL TEAM & CLUB SIDES COMPARE TO OTHER NIGERIA STRIKERS (except Osimhen), HE IS FAR FAR BETTER THAN ONUACHU SADIQ-UMAR AWONIYI IHEANACHO.
ANALYTICALLY, THIS IS A STRIKERS THAT IS WELL COMPOSED, GOOD & SKILLFUL WHILE SCORING GOALS. HE HAS BEEN EXISTING FOR PAST FIVE YEARS AGO.
## HE WAS A HIGHEST GOALS SCORER & GOLDEN BOOT WINNER##
**(1.) IN DUTCH LEAGUE IN
2019/2020 SEASON.
**(2.) IN 2022/2023 NEWLY INAUGURATED UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE.
**(3.). IN SCOTTISH LEAGUE IN 2024/2025 SEASON.
LET ANYONE MENTION ONE NIGERIA STRIKER (except Osimhen) THAT HAS CONSISTENTLY BECAME TOP HIGHEST GOALS SCORER IN LEAGUE CLUB SIDES LIKE TOP OR THREE TIMES.
WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BE DECEIVING OURSELVES IN THIS COUNTRY. WE ARE SENTIMENTAL & TRIBALISTIC IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
** WE ARE SENTIMENTAL & TRIBALISTIC IN MAKING APPOINTMENTS.
**SENTIMENTAL & TRIBALISTIC IN INVITING PLAYERS.
**SENTIMENTAL & TRIBALISTIC IN CHOOSING LEADERS
WITH THIS KIND OF MENTALITY, THE END RESULTS IS FAILURE.
Thumbs up Sisterwoman Juliette.. you spoke well.
@Ikpunobi Jones
This is true.
Thumbs up Sisterwoman Juliette.. you spoke well.
Even Eba with Amala (His bros) knows this. Thanks
Me no send all these players with their club statistics..my own be say if them call you for national assignment try deliver or put body…
Iheanacho is that man that when he wears the green and white even if he doesn’t score you can see it from his body language on the pitch that him dey try…
Him don deliver us when we needed that saviour factor for some games so we are not going to throw him away or put him in the mix of their Boniface wey don get dozens of chances but failed…so please make una dey put respect on his name…
INFANT TO BE SINCERE, HOW MANY TIMES SO-CALLED SUPER EAGLE STRIKERS (apart from Osimhen,Dessers, Akpom) HAVE WON GOLDEN BOOT AWARD. EVEN IN ONE CLUB