Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers has handed the Super Eagles a major boost after making his long-awaited return from injury on Sunday, marking his first appearance in over two months.
The Nigeria international featured in Panathinaikos’ 3–2 loss to AEK Athens in a Greek Super League clash at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.
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Dessers, who had been sidelined since September 25 after sustaining an injury during a Europa League match against Young Boys, returned to action when he was introduced in the 86th minute with his side trailing 2–1.
Shortly after his introduction, Panathinaikos equalised through Filip Djuricic in the 90th minute, but a stoppage-time strike from Luka Jović—his third of the evening—sealed victory for AEK Athens.
Dessers’ injury kept him out of Nigeria’s last four 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, including the crucial playoff fixtures against Gabon and DR Congo.
His most recent appearance for the Super Eagles came in September during the qualifier against South Africa, marking his tenth cap for the national team.
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco fast approaching, the 29-year-old now faces a race to secure a spot in José Peseiro’s final squad.
In his absence, Sevilla forward Akor Adams impressed, scoring twice in four outings for the Super Eagles.
Dessers’ return to fitness will nonetheless be a welcome development for Nigeria as the team builds toward AFCON 2025, where competition for attacking positions
