Super Eagles As Striker Suffers Injury One Month Before World Cup Qualifiers
- Cyriel Dessers suffered an ankle injury during Rangers’ 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen, one month before the international break
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria will regroup ahead of their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa
- There are growing concerns in the Nigerian national team, especially with Ademola Lookman in troubling transfer terms with Atalanta
With less than one month before the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers return, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been hit with a huge injury blow.
The three-time African champion will welcome Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 6, and three days later, they play away against South Africa.
Rangers manager Russell Martin has confirmed that Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers suffered an ankle injury during the team’s 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night.
Source: Getty Images
All Nigeria Soccer reports that the 30-year-old, who has been linked with a potential summer transfer away from Ibrox, was substituted in the second half by Brazilian forward Danilo.
Dessers has been impressive for the club as he led in scoring last season amid interest from Greek champions AEK Athens.
In a post-match conference, head coach Martin branded the injury "nasty", adding that Dessers is in a brace and awaiting a scan to determine the severity.
He told reporters, as per The Daily Record:
"Yeah, it looks a nasty one. So he’s in a brace now. We’ll have to just wait and see over the next couple of days, have a scan and see.
"We’ll keep our fingers crossed it’s not too bad for the big man."
With the transfer window nearing its close, Cyriel Dessers is hoping for good news on his ankle injury to maintain his form and clarify his future.
The Super Eagles striker scored his first goal of the season in last week’s first-leg match at Ibrox, his only goal in six appearances this campaign.
Rangers are set to take on Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff round, with the first leg in Glasgow on Tuesday, August 19, and the second leg on Wednesday, August 27, at Jan Breydel Stadium.
Dessers’ ankle injury poses a potential challenge for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as they prepare for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Should he be sidelined, Nigeria may face a shortage of in-form strikers, especially with Ademola Lookman in troubling transfer terms with Atalanta.
Source: Getty Images
This would put pressure on other forwards like Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface to deliver.
Recall that Franco-Malian manager Eric Chelle led Nigeria to wins against Ghana and Jamaica in London in the Unity Cup, a four-nation mini-tournament in May/June.
Eric Chelle details his selection criteria
Legit.ng earlier reported that the squad selection under Chelle has come under scrutiny from Nigerian football fans, many of whom claim he prioritises the popular over those in form.
The manager, ahead of the World Cup qualifier in September, has clarified his selection and disclosed the four main criteria for players to make the team.
Source: Legit.ng
