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Okereke and Dessers hand Davide Ballardini a sigh of relief ahead of Torino tie

Both Okereke and Dessers have been instrumental in keeping their side from being demoted to the second division.

The two Super Eagles star, David Okereke, and Cyriel Dessers, have been sidelined for a few days owing to injuries.

Okereke and Dessers were both unavailable for Davide Ballardini’s selection when Cremonese journeyed to Diego Maradona Stadium to face Napoli last weekend.

Dessers’s condition was not known, although sources claim Okereke tore his abductor muscle.

The two players, who have been crucial in their team’s fight to escape Serie A’s relegation zone, were sorely missed as the Parthenopeans added salt to their wound with three goals to two.

The pair’s steady comeback will give the former Genoa boss a relief ahead their journey to Turin to play Torino after their string of defeats.

Prior to their match, the two Nigerians took part in both a group session and a separate practise, according to an updated injury report published on the club’s official website.

“Penultimate training session at the “Giovanni Arvedi” Training Centre for Cremonese before their departure for Turin. This morning the “grigiorossi” underwent the following programme: physical warm-up in the gym, technical warm-up with trolleys on the pitch, group exercises on crosses and conclusions towards the net, final match with backs. Dessers and Okereke, having finished warming up with the group, underwent separate training; Chiriches underwent personalised work in the gym. Training tomorrow at 11:00.” reads the club’s statement.

While Dessers was in action, Okereke played a key role in the team’s last two games in January, scoring the team’s lone goal in their 1-1 draw against Bologna, as well as the only goal in their 2-1 defeat to Inter Milan.

The duo will be looking forward to travel with the team to Turin by Monday afternoon for their tie against The Bull.

 

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a proven track record in conducting interviews with Super Eagles stars such as William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and many others. He has also made a significant impact in breaking transfer news stories. Grounded in video editing, video journalism, social media management, and content strategy, Ayomide brings a wealth of expertise to his work. With a Bachelor's degree in English Language from Adeyemi College of Education and a Master's Degree in School Library and Media Technology from the University of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel in the field.

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