News

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.

Share
Published by
Ayomide Oguntimehin

Recent Posts

Osimhen: Napoli star drops transfer hint as Man United and Chelsea prepare €75 million bid

Napoli-owned forward Victor Osimhen has sparked transfer speculation with a new comment about his future,… Read More

10 hours ago

Ghana 0-0 Nigeria: CHAN Eagles grab first-leg advantage in Accra against Black Galaxies

Nigeria forced Ghana to a goalless draw in the first leg of the qualifying playoff… Read More

10 hours ago

What Hakimi’s mother said after her son lost the CAF POTY Award to Lookman

Achraf Hakimi's mother, Saida Mouh, has revealed her son has moved on from the disappointment… Read More

10 hours ago

“I see similarities with Leicester” – Ex-Barcelona striker backs Ola Aina’s Nott’m Forest to win EPL title

Former Barcelona and England striker, Gary Lineker, has backed Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina's Nottingham… Read More

11 hours ago

Two Premier League clubs ready to meet Napoli’s €75m asking price for Victor Osimhen

Two English Premier League sides, Manchester United and Chelsea, are prepared to meet Napoli's €75m… Read More

12 hours ago

Tolu Arokodare surpasses Stephen Keshi’s mark in Belgium as Genk humble Anderlecht

Tolu Arokodare delivered a man-of-the-match performance to inspire KRC Genk to a convincing 2-0 win… Read More

12 hours ago