Cyriel Dessers has made an unusual decision during the September international break, personally contacting Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle to request permission to remain in Athens rather than join the Super Eagles.
According to Greek outlet Sport24, Dessers asked to stay with Panathinaikos as he continues his recovery and preparation after recently returning from injury. The 31-year-old reportedly believes remaining with the Greek club will allow him to work closely with the Panathinaikos medical and coaching staff without the additional demands of international travel and two competitive matches.
Nigeria accepted his request.
The decision is notable because Dessers was not simply unavailable for selection. He was included in Nigeria’s initial plans before choosing to remain with his club. An invited international voluntarily asking to miss national-team duty is unusual, particularly as Nigeria begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Why Cyriel Dessers chose to stay with Panathinaikos
Dessers’ immediate priority is reportedly to regain full match sharpness with Panathinaikos ahead of a crucial period for the Athens club.
The striker’s focus comes with a major fixture on the horizon, as Panathinaikos are preparing for their derby against Olympiacos after the international break.
Dessers has also given Panathinaikos reason to trust his attacking contribution. He scored twice in the club’s dramatic 2-1 Conference League victory over Hradec Králové on August 30, strengthening his case as an important attacking option.
For Dessers, remaining in Athens offers continuity in his rehabilitation and preparation rather than interrupting that process with international travel.
Nigeria face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau without Dessers
Eric Chelle’s original 24-man Nigeria squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers included eight forwards or attacking players: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
However, Nigeria have since suffered another major blow in attack.
Victor Osimhen has been ruled out after suffering a right-thigh muscle strain during Galatasaray’s match against Başakşehir on September 4. The striker was withdrawn in the 33rd minute and will miss both of Nigeria’s opening qualifiers.
Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently called up as Osimhen’s replacement.
With Dessers also remaining in Greece, Chelle now has Awoniyi, Adams, Arokodare and Ilenikhena among his recognised central striking options. Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon and Usor provide additional attacking options from wider or more flexible positions.
Nigeria will therefore begin their AFCON 2027 qualification campaign without both Dessers and their first-choice striker Osimhen.
When is Nigeria vs Madagascar?
Nigeria face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.
The Super Eagles will then travel to Morocco to face Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday as they continue their Group L campaign.
Nigeria face pressure in AFCON 2027 qualifying
The qualification situation makes the opening fixtures particularly important for Nigeria.
Tanzania are co-hosts of AFCON 2027 and are therefore automatically qualified for the tournament. As a result, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are competing for the single remaining qualification place available to the non-host nations in Group L.
That leaves little room for dropped points, increasing the significance of Nigeria’s opening matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
For Chelle, the challenge is now to find a way to compensate for the absence of Osimhen and Dessers while getting the Super Eagles’ qualification campaign off to a strong start.
