Gernot Rohr handed international debuts to six new players over the last two friendly matches, and one of them may have warmed himself into the hearts of many Nigerian fans
KRC Genk forward Cyriel Dessers appeared in his first-ever game for Nigeria in their clash against Tunisia on Tuesday, finally fulfilling a long-held dream.
Born to a Belgian father and a Nigerian mother, Dessers last year voiced his desire to feature for the country of birth of his mother following a breakthrough campaign with Dutch side Heracles Almelo.
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic stopped the 25-year-old forward from taking to the pitch in the green-and-white colours of Nigeria back in March.
But Dessers finally made his debut when he was introduced in the second half of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Tunisia.
However, he couldn’t grab a late winner for the three-time African champions, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s fine opener cancelled out by Mohamed Drager’s thumping effort.
Dessers, after the game, took to one of his social media accounts to expressed his pleasure and honour at eventually playing for Nigeria.
“Proud and honoured to represent a big football nation like Nigeria. Proud to be a Super Eagle,” the former Utrecht star Tweeted.
Nigerian football fans immediately flocked to his tweet to shower praise and affection on the man expected to offer stiff competition to star striker Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles lost to the Desert Foxes of Algeria last Friday, before managing a one-all draw with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Tuesday.
Next up for Nigeria are the doubleheader Afcon qualifying games against Sierra Leone next month.