Exclusive : Nigeria Beat Belgium To Dessers; Heracles Star Among Strikers Called Up For AFCONQ

Published: March 03, 2020

Allnigeriasoccer.com can exclusively report that the Nigeria Football Federation have won the race for the services of Heracles Almelo goal poacher Cyriel Dessers.

Born in Leuven, Belgium, the striker has a Nigerian mother, making him eligible to represent the three-time African champions.

Dessers has trained with Belgium's U21 national team in the past and was a non-playing substitute when they faced Moldova in a European U21 Championship qualifier five years ago.

Thus, he can play for the Super Eagles without the Nigerian Federation contacting FIFA for a change of association.

Dessers is listed among the strikers for Nigeria's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone and he has not been included to make up the numbers as the plan is to cap-tie him in one of the matches.

Ahead of Dessers' trip to Asaba, Delta State, he has obtained a newly issued Nigerian passport, paving the way for him to make his international debut.

With 15 goals from 25 appearances, the 25-year-old is the top scoring player in the Dutch Eredivisie this season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel