AFCON 2025: Dessers Ruled Out for Up to Three Months with Thigh Injury

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering another injury during Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign, Soccernet.ng reports. Dessers missed the final group game against Uganda, despite Eric Chelle rotating his squad in the 3-1 win, and was not listed on the team sheet.

The Belgium-born forward, who joined Panathinaikos from Rangers for €4.63m, has endured a difficult season. After scoring twice in his first three games, an ankle injury ruled him out of 16 matches. He returned in December but played only 139 minutes before AFCON.

Chelle later confirmed Dessers had a thigh problem and returned to his club after missing training ahead of the round-of-16 tie with Mozambique. Speaking before the game, Chelle said, “Dessers spoke with me this morning… will be out for maybe 10 to 12 weeks,” adding, “I’m disappointed for him… we have to play a great game tomorrow.”