AFCON 2025
Super Eagles striker, Cyriel Dessers has become a subject of harsh criticism by the media and communication department of the Nigeria Football Federation following the team’s one-all draw against South Africa in Blomfontein.
A post-match report posted on the website of the football federation targeted the Panathiniakos striker after he was substituted in the matches against Rwanda and South Africa.
The post partly blamed the 30-year-old striker for Super Eagles’ lack of threat against the Bafana Bafana in the first half.
It also criticised Cyriel Dessers after he came in as substitute against Rwanda but later got substituted for tactical reasons.
“Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack.”
The draw against South Africa means the Super Eagles are almost out of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after amassing 11 points from eight matches.
South Africa are contention to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 as they sit on top of Group C with 17 points.
