Augustine Eguavoen has explained his thinking behind the decision to omit Feyenoord striker Cyriel Dessers from the list of players summoned for the 2022 World Cup playoff match with regional rivals Ghana later this month.

Eguavoen did not take up the opportunity to name the Belgian-born frontman in his adjusted squad for AFCON 2021 even after Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis pulled out of the roster due to a club vs country row over their release for the tournament in Cameroon.

Dessers' latest omission from the expanded roster for the games against the Black Stars suggests that he is way down Eguavoen's pecking order of strikers.

The Super Eagles interim manager claims he didn't consider the Racing Genk loanee because he has not been able to watch the player in the Netherlands.

Asked if he has plans to check out  Obinna Nwobodo, Ipalibo Jack, Alhassan Yusuf, Raphael Onyedika and Cyriel Dessers after the 2022 World Cup playoff, Eguavoen said to Elegbete TV Sports : "There are plans. Talking about Cyriel Dessers where is he playing? NPFL, the answer is no so am I going to take a train from here to Holland, the answer is no, so the time has to be right.

"When I say I haven't watched the players I'm talking about having watched them live. On television, of course I follow.

"That brings me back to Etebo whom I have worked closely with, I have seen, interacted with. "

Dessers hasn't been invited to the Super Eagles since making his international debut in a friendly against Tunisia on October 13, 2020.

The 27-year-old has scored thirteen goals so far this season, including six in nine appearances in European competition.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel