Former Super Eagles forward John Utaka has thrown his support behind Cyriel Dessers, saying the time is right for the in-form striker to be given a competitive call-up to the Nigerian national team, Sports247 reports.
Dessers, who has been part of the Super Eagles setup since 2020, has mostly featured in friendly matches and is yet to make an appearance in a competitive fixture.
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The former Feyenoord and Cremonese striker recently expressed his disappointment at not yet making a competitive appearance, despite being in the national team picture for over five years. Utaka, reflecting on Dessers’ resilience and maturity, said the striker deserves more than just recognition—he deserves minutes on the pitch in meaningful games.
“Cyriel is a player with great composure, and he’s shown over time that he’s ready for more responsibility in the team,” Utaka said. “Friendly games are important, but for his growth and confidence, he needs to be tested in competitive situations.”
Dessers impressed during the Unity Cup tournament, scoring a well-taken goal in Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Ghana. His movement, link-up play, and work rate were all praised by fans and pundits. Utaka believes those performances should be enough to convince coach Eric Chelle to trust him in bigger games like the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“He’s shown that he can deliver, so the coaching staff should give him the platform. He’s not just knocking—he’s banging on the door,” Utaka said.
The Super Eagles face Russia in an international friendly on June 6, a match that may serve as another audition for fringe players like Dessers. With the World Cup qualifiers just months away, the forward will be hoping that his contributions are finally rewarded with a competitive debut.
Utaka concluded, “Cyriel deserves this opportunity. He’s put in the work, and now is the time.”
