Panathinaikos 1-1 Olympiakos: Super Eagles striker Dessers scores in 'Mother of All Battles'

Super Eagles forward Cyriel Dessers was on target as Panathinaikos battled to a 1-1 draw with Olympiakos at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.

The meetings between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are famously billed as the Derby of the Eternal Enemies, a fixture often referred to by supporters as the 'Mother of All Battles'.

After a cagey first half, Dessers broke the deadlock just three minutes into the restart, pouncing at the back post to slot in a low cross from Greek international Anastasios Bakasetas.

The 30-year-old's strike was his second goal for Panathinaikos in only his second start since completing a deadline-day switch from Rangers.

With Panathinaikos looking to protect their advantage, the Nigerian striker was substituted in the closing 15 minutes, making way for Polish forward Karol Świderski.

Olympiakos, however, snatched a late equalizer as Ayoub El Kaabi converted a pass from substitute Mehdi Taremi.

Despite the tough end to the game, Dessers can take pride in his bright start to life in Greece, coming off the back of a stellar 2024/25 season with Rangers, where he finished as the Scottish Premiership's top scorer.

The Super Eagles striker will be eager to maintain his form and strengthen his case for a recall to the national team ahead of October's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.

Meanwhile, his international teammate Bruno Onyemaechi remained an unused substitute throughout the encounter.

Adeyemi Adewale

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