Despite Cyriel Dessers’s impressive tally of seven goals and three assists in the 2024/25 season, Super Eagles interim coach Austine Eguavoen believes Kelechi Iheanacho, despite being goalless this season, deserves a call-up due to his experience.
Super Eagles interim head coach Austine Eguavoen has defended his decision to snub in-form Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers match against Libya.
So far in the 2024/25 season, no Super Eagles player has been more prolific than Dessers, who has registered seven goals and three assists across 13 appearances for The Gers. However, Eguavoen has opted to call up Kelechi Iheanacho and Taiwo Awoniyi, despite neither player having contributed any goals so far this season.
“I decided to include Kelechi Iheanacho of Seville when it became clear Victor Osimhen would not be fit in time,’’ Eguavoen explained. “I looked at both Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare, but opted for Kelechi this time because he is the more experienced striker.”
Dessers hasn’t been invited to the Super Eagles squad since the March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, where he notably came under scrutiny for missed chances. Since switching national team allegiance from Belgium to Nigeria in October 2022, the 26-year-old has only managed six appearances—all in friendlies—scoring two goals in the process.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp for the Libya clash opened on Monday in Uyo, with goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie already in camp. The first leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, before the three-time African champions face the Mediterranean Knights at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi on Tuesday, October 15.
Nigeria currently tops the qualifying Group D with four points after two matches, while Libya sits at the bottom with one point.
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