Dessers reveals the NPFL player who impressed him at Unity Cup, talks World Cup hopes

Cyriel Dessers has lauded the performance of NPFL standout Sodiq Ismail during the recently concluded 2025 Unity Cup in London, while expressing optimism about Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Reflecting on the intense schedule of the Unity Cup, where Nigeria clinched the title with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Jamaica following a 2-2 draw, Dessers acknowledged the physical demands of the tournament. 

"It has been a tough week with three games in two days. It has been a long season for everybody, you can see that in the last ten, twenty minutes," he told Proudly Austin.

The 30-year-old forward, who scored the opener in Nigeria’s 2-1 semi-final win against Ghana, expressed his pride in representing the national team. 

"Very proud. It's always an honour when you get the call-up, even more proud when you can play and score, it's important for the team. If you see the support we had here, it makes you very proud," Dessers added.

When asked about the Super Eagles’ prospects for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Dessers remained cautiously optimistic. 

"In football, everything is possible, you have to go until the end, just try to win every game and then we'll see. 

"That should be in our heads, and then at the end we will see - first, second, third. Now, it's up to us, just focus on our own games and don’t focus too much on the other games," he stated.

Under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, the Unity Cup squad featured a blend of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) talents and foreign-based professionals, a mix Dessers believes worked well. 

"Yes, I think so. There were all very nice guys but the most important, very good football players as well. 

"Of course, football here is different, but you can see they all have the skills, and it's up to them to make the next step," he noted.

Dessers singled out Remo Stars’ right-back Sodiq Ismail for special praise, highlighting his impressive performances throughout the tournament. 

"Some guys already showed it this week. For example, if I can pick out one, Sodiq was very good in both games, so you can see he’s ready for this level," Dessers remarked. 

Ismail, dubbed the "Nigerian Dani Alves" for his forward runs and precise crosses, provided the assist for Dessers’ goal against Ghana, underlining his potential to compete at the highest level.

The Super Eagles’ triumph in the Unity Cup, a tournament celebrating football and cultural ties among African and Caribbean communities in London, marks a promising step for the team. 

With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Dessers and his teammates are determined to build on this momentum, focusing on each game to secure Nigeria’s place on the global stage.

Wale Adejumo

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