Dessers stays with Panathinaikos after receiving Nigeria permission

Cyriel Dessers has been granted permission to remain with Panathinaikos instead of joining Nigeria for the country’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. The 31-year-old striker contacted Super Eagles coach Éric Chelle to request permission to continue his recovery and preparation with Panathinaikos’ medical and coaching staff, according to Greek outlet Sport24. Nigeria accepted the request.

Dessers was initially included in Chelle’s 24-man squad but will remain in Athens as he works towards full fitness after a recent injury. He will miss Nigeria’s opening qualifier against Madagascar and the subsequent Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau. Before the international break, Dessers scored twice in Panathinaikos’ 2-1 Conference League victory over Hradec Králové on August 27.

His immediate focus is now on completing his recovery and regaining match sharpness with the Greek club. Nigeria are also without Victor Osimhen, who suffered a right-thigh muscle strain during Galatasaray’s match against Başakşehir earlier this month. Taiwo Awoniyi was called up as Osimhen’s replacement.

Chelle’s remaining central striking options include Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena. Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Moses Usor provide additional attacking choices. The qualifiers are important because Tanzania, one of the hosts of the 2027 AFCON, have automatic qualification.

Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are therefore competing for the remaining qualification place in the group. Dessers’ decision means Nigeria will begin the campaign without one of the forwards originally selected. Panathinaikos will instead oversee his rehabilitation and preparation during the break.

The source material does not specify when Dessers is expected to return to Nigeria duty, but it states that his current priority is to regain full fitness with his club.