The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been dealt a significant blow in their quest for glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Striker Cyriel Dessers has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a thigh injury, a major setback for coach Eric Chelle's plans.
Dessers' Tournament Ends Before It Begins
According to reports from OwnGoal Nigeria, Cyriel Dessers has departed the team's camp in Morocco and will return to his club, Panathinaikos. The striker sustained a thigh problem that prevented him from featuring in any of Nigeria's group-stage matches. Coach Eric Chelle provided an update after the 3-1 victory over Uganda, revealing Dessers was scheduled for a scan. The results confirmed he would not recover in time for the knockout rounds, meaning his first major tournament for Nigeria ends without a single minute on the pitch.
Super Eagles' Dominant Group Stage Run
Despite this personnel loss, the Nigerian team's performance in the group stage was formidable. The Super Eagles won all three matches, securing maximum nine points. They defeated Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, progressing "like a hot knife through butter" as Group C winners. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Nigeria's next opponent: they will face the Mambas of Mozambique in the Round of 16. Mozambique advanced as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F.
Injury Updates and Squad Preparations
The injury news extends beyond Dessers, though with varying severity. Blackburn Rovers right-back Ryan Alebiosu, who suffered a deep cut and was hospitalized during the Uganda match, is continuing his recovery separately and did not train with the main group. Additionally, debutant Tochukwu Nnadi, who played the final minutes against Uganda, missed training due to a cold. These absences left Coach Chelle with 25 players for preparations ahead of the crucial knockout fixture.
Coach Eric Chelle has now rallied his remaining players, urging them to focus entirely on the upcoming challenge against Mozambique. The team must adapt quickly to the absence of Dessers and find goalscoring solutions from within the existing squad as they aim to continue their perfect run in the tournament.
