Cyriel Dessers has spoken publicly for the first time since leaving the Super Eagles camp last week after an injury ruled him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Panathinaikos forward was forced to withdraw from the Nigeria squad following a training-ground injury and has since returned to his club to begin rehabilitation, with medical assessments placing his recovery time at between 10 and 12 weeks.
Dessers, 31, called up for his first major tournament with Nigeria, has earned 11 caps and scored four goals since his debut in 2020.
In a message shared on social media, the 31-year-old described the setback as difficult to accept, with the timing of the injury affecting both his international ambitions and an important period of his club season.
“Unfortunately I sustained an injury at AFCON. It’s extremely difficult to accept that I will miss the remainder of the tournament and an important period at Panathinaikos,” Dessers wrote.
“I will be our biggest fan in these weeks, go full in rehab and hopefully we can celebrate a win and goal together soon.”
Dessers on IG. Photo Credit: Dessers/Instagram
Dessers had hoped to play a role as Nigeria pushed deep into the competition but picked up the injury during training shortly before the Super Eagles’ group-stage match against Uganda.
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Head coach Eric Chelle had earlier confirmed that the striker would be sidelined for several weeks, explaining that the decision to release him from camp was taken to avoid further risk.
Cyril Dessers. Photo Credit: Getty Images
“Dessers spoke with me this morning. He has an injury and will be out for maybe 10 to 12 weeks,” Chelle said.
“I’m disappointed for him, we need to play a good game for him tomorrow.”
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The Super Eagles have won 4 straight games with 12 goals scored and will face the Algeria in the Quarter final on Saturday in Marrakech.
