There are presently nine foreign-born players with the Super Eagles preparing to face Algeria on October 9 in Austria, but it’s a dream come true for the new KRC Genk striker to be wearing the green-white kits of the 2013 Afcon winners
Racing Genk striker Cyriel Dessers is eager to make his first outing in a Super Eagles shirt, insisting it’s a dream to be a part of the Nigerian squad getting set to face Algeria on Friday.
Dessers burst into the public consciousness last season when he emerged as the Eredivisie’s top scorer despite playing for unfancied Heracles Almelo.
Born in Belgian to a Nigerian mother, the former Utrecht ace made public his desire to star for the African giants instead of his country of birth.
Super Eagles’ head coach Gernot Rohr first invited Dessers in March for the doubleheader 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.
The two games, however, couldn’t hold as scheduled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Again, Rohr extended another invitation to the 25-year-old forward despite his patchy form since his transfer to Racing Genk.
But Dessers is less concerned about his club woes and more consumed about his dream to be a Super Eagle.
In a chat with Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye, the striker said: ”Hi my fellow Nigerians, I am Cyriel Dessers, 25 years old, I’m a striker now playing in KRC Genk in Belgium.
Meet @CyrielDessers,
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 7, 2020
One of our new super stars.
He is looking forward to meeting our fans.#SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/IRorJ12coU
“I’m really happy to be here, my first call-up for the Super Eagles, it’s a dream that comes true.
“I can’t wait to be on the pitch, play the games, to meet you, the fans, and I hope to see you soon.”
Dessers has no international caps at the youth level for his country of birth, Belgium.
