Super Eagles accept Cyriel Dessers request as Panathinaikos star makes surprise Nigeria decision

Cyriel Dessers has made an unusual decision during the international break, personally contacting Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle to ask permission to stay in Athens rather than join the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.

According to Greek outlet Sport24, Dessers wanted to continue his recovery and preparation with Panathinaikos after recently returning from injury. The 31-year-old believed remaining at the club would allow him to work under the Panathinaikos medical and coaching staff without the added demands of international travel and two competitive matches. Nigeria accepted his request.

The decision stands out because Dessers was not simply unavailable for selection. He was part of Nigeria's initial plans before ultimately choosing to remain with his club. An invited international player voluntarily asking to skip national-team duty is an uncommon development, particularly with Nigeria beginning a new AFCON qualifying campaign.

According to the report, Dessers' immediate target is to regain full sharpness with Panathinaikos, with the Athens club's derby against Olympiacos looming after the international break. His club form had already given him an attacking argument, including two goals in Panathinaikos' dramatic 2-1 Conference League victory over Hradec Králové on August 30.

Nigeria face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau without Dessers

Chelle's final 24-man squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers contains eight forwards or attacking players, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor initially selected.

Osimhen, however, has since been ruled out after suffering a right-thigh muscle strain against Başakşehir on September 4. The Galatasaray striker was withdrawn in the 33rd minute and will miss both qualifiers.

Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi was called up as his replacement.

That leaves Chelle with Awoniyi, Adams, Arokodare and Ilenikhena as his recognised central striking options, while Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon and Usor offer additional attacking routes. Dessers is therefore watching from Athens as Nigeria begin without both his services and their leading striker.

The Super Eagles face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time. They then travel to Morocco to meet Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.

The stakes are unusually sharp in Group L because co-host Tanzania are automatically qualified for AFCON 2027. Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are consequently competing for the single remaining qualification place available to the non-host nations in the group.