Dessers Gets Chelle’s Permission to Stay at Panathinaikos During International Break
Cyriel Dessers will not join the Super Eagles for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after receiving permission from head coach Éric Chelle to remain with Panathinaikos during the international break, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
According to Greek outlet Sport24, the 31-year-old striker personally contacted Chelle to request permission to stay in Athens and continue his rehabilitation and preparations under the supervision of Panathinaikos’ medical and coaching staff.
Nigeria accepted the request, meaning Dessers will miss the Super Eagles’ opening Group L fixture against Madagascar as well as the subsequent clash with Guinea-Bissau.
Dessers had initially been included in Chelle’s 24-man squad but is still working towards regaining full fitness following his recent injury.
The forward had made a strong contribution for Panathinaikos before the international break, scoring twice in their dramatic 2-1 Conference League victory over Hradec Králové on August 27.
His decision to remain in Greece will allow him to continue his recovery programme and work on regaining full match sharpness with his club.
Nigeria are already without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out after sustaining a right-thigh muscle strain during Galatasaray’s clash with Ba?ak?ehir earlier this month.
Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently called up to replace Osimhen, leaving Chelle with Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare and George Ilenikhena as his central striking options.
Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and Moses Usor also provide attacking alternatives for the Super Eagles.
The Group L campaign carries additional importance because Tanzania, one of the three hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda, already have an automatic place at the tournament.
Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar will therefore compete for the group’s available qualification place, making every fixture between the three sides particularly significant.
For Dessers, the immediate focus will be on completing his recovery and returning to full fitness with Panathinaikos before resuming his push for another opportunity with the Super Eagles.
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