Nigerian forward Cyril Dessers has reiterated his ambition to represent the Super Eagles on the biggest stages of international football following his goal-scoring performance in the much-anticipated “Jollof Derby” against Ghana at the Unity Cup semi-final in London.
The Rangers striker opened the scoring in the 14th minute, setting the tone for Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over their West African rivals. Defender Semi Ajayi added a second before halftime, sealing a hard-fought win in front of a lively crowd dominated by the Nigerian diaspora.
At 30, Dessers has often hovered on the periphery of the national team, with just seven appearance, for Nigeria over the years in all competitions.
But a stellar season in Scotland—where he claimed the 2024–25 Scottish Premiership Golden Boot with 18 goals—has bolstered his case for a more consistent role in the Super Eagles squad.
Dessers now hopes to cement his place in the team and feature in major competitions after netting his 3rd Super Eagles goal in just just four starts
“I’ve already had a few beautiful moments with the Super Eagles, but I hope to add more,” he said.
“I want to play in major tournaments. That would be a dream for me—something that would almost complete my career—if I could represent Nigeria at a big tournament and hopefully win something for the country.”
With 29 goals across all competitions this season and a scoring streak of five consecutive matches for Rangers, Dessers arrived at camp in peak form. His composed finish against Ghana, converting a precise cross from Sodiq Ismaila, served as further proof of his readiness to translate club form to the international stage.
Playing in front of a passionate crowd in London made the occasion even more special, Cyril noted.
“It’s exciting to play here in London. We know there are a lot of Nigerians here, and that support means everything,” he said.
“The first game was against one of our biggest rivals, so it was always going to be special.”
Despite the Unity Cup’s friendly label, Cyril emphasized the competitive spirit both teams brought to the match.
“People might call it a friendly, but we didn’t treat it like that,” he stated.
“We wanted to win and make our people proud.”
With Nigeria now through to the Unity Cup final, Dessers’ return to the national fold hasn’t proven timely and impactful, fueling optimism that the in-form striker may soon take center stage in the green and white at a major international tournament as Nigeria chases the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket and prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations..
