Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has publicly addressed the devastating injury that has forced him out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and will keep him off the pitch for months.
Training Session Setback Ends Tournament Hopes
The unfortunate incident occurred during a training session with the Nigerian national team last week. Dessers sustained a significant thigh injury, which immediately put his participation in the continental championship in doubt. The injury was severe enough to necessitate his immediate return to his club, Panathinaikos in Greece, before he could even make a single appearance for Nigeria at AFCON 2025.
Official Diagnosis and Recovery Timeline
Providing clarity on the situation, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle made an official disclosure ahead of Nigeria's Round of 16 match against Mozambique. Coach Chelle confirmed that the striker would be sidelined for a substantial period, estimating his recovery time at between 10 and 12 weeks. This timeline means Dessers will miss not only the remainder of the AFCON but also a crucial period for his Greek club.
Dessers' Heartfelt Social Media Reaction
Breaking his silence on the development, the former Rangers forward took to his social media platforms to express his profound disappointment. In a heartfelt post, Dessers shared his struggle to come to terms with the setback.
"Unfortunately I sustained an injury at AFCON," he wrote. "It's extremely difficult to accept that I will miss the remainder of the tournament and an important period at Panathinaikos."
Despite the personal blow, the striker pledged his support to his teams and focused on the road ahead. "I will be our biggest fan in these weeks, go full in rehab and hopefully we can celebrate a win and goal together soon," he added, demonstrating a resilient and team-oriented spirit.
This injury represents a significant double blow for the 29-year-old forward. He misses a major opportunity to represent his country on one of football's biggest stages in Africa, while also facing a lengthy absence during a pivotal phase of the club season with Panathinaikos. Fans of both the Super Eagles and Panathinaikos will now have to wait until his expected return later in the spring.
