AFCON Qualifiers: Dessers Earns Maiden Call-up As Etebo Returns In Rohr’s Squad For Sierra Leone Clash

Eredivisie top scorer, Cyriel Dessers is set to win his first cap for Nigeria after he was named in Gernot Rohr’s squad for the Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.

The Heracles Almelo striker was included in the 24 man team alongside Getafe’s Oghenekaro Etebo who missed the first two qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Lesotho.

Although Dessers was born in Belgium, he is eligible to play for Nigeria through his mother. The 25-year-old already declared his interest to represent Super Eagles, and he is now set to fulfil his dream

The former Utrecht striker is currently the top scorer in Netherland’s top division with 15 goals in 25 appearances for Heracles Almelo.

With Dessers invitation, Nigeria now have one of the best attacks in Africa. The Super Eagles are currently blessed with the likes Lille’s Victor Osimhen, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze and the rejuvenated Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City.

Cologne’s Kingsley Ehizibue was also called up for the first time. The 24-year-old was born in Munich, Germany, but qualifies for Nigeria through his father.

He plays as a right-back and has featured 21 times for Die Geißböcke in the Bundesliga this campaign.

Also on the list is Getafe’s, Oghenekaro Etebo who is making a return to the team for the first time since Nigeria’s draw against Ukraine.

Etebo’s omission from recent Super Eagles squad is due to injury and lack of game time at Stoke City. But the former Warri Wolves midfielder sealed a six-month loan move to Getafe in January, and he appears to be enjoying his football again.

He is not the only player making a return as Leon Balogun also earns an invitation following his move from Brighton to Wigan.

The 31-year-old missed November games due to lack of game time at the Amex stadium. However, since he joined the Latics on a loan deal until the end of the season, he has been enjoying more game time.

He has featured five times for Paul Cook’s men, and that has earned him a return to the National team. Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho also returns following his rejuvenated form.

Despite playing just twice in Bordeaux’s last seven games, Samuel Kalu is included in the list, but his teammate, Josh Maja misses out.

Other names on the list include the regulars like Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost Ekong and Ahmed Musa.

Super Eagles List for Sierra Leone Clash.

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Wigan Athletic, England); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kingsley Ehizibue (FC Koln, Germany)

Midfielders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Etebo Oghenekaro (Getafe FC, Spain); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (Heracles Almelo, The Netherlands); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France)

Nigeria host Sierra Leone in a doubleheader AFCON qualifier. The Super Eagle will host the first leg on March 27 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba. The return leg takes place five days later in Freetown.

The Super Eagles lead Group L with six points following wins over the Squirrels and the Crocodiles.