Cyriel Dessers, the Glasgow Rangers striker, finds himself in a frustrating predicament: excelling in friendly matches for the Nigerian national team but consistently overlooked when it comes to competitive fixtures. This dichotomy between his friendly form and his absence in crucial games has become a source of professional disappointment for the 30-year-old forward. While he has consistently proven his ability to score goals and contribute to the team’s success in exhibition matches, the elusive opportunity to represent his country in official tournaments continues to elude him. This pattern, established since his debut in 2020, paints a picture of a player capable of performing at the international level, yet perpetually relegated to the sidelines when the stakes are highest.
Dessers’s international career for Nigeria began with promise. He marked his debut against Tunisia with a goal, followed by another in a subsequent friendly against Algeria. These early successes hinted at a bright future with the Super Eagles. However, despite accumulating four goals in seven appearances, all his contributions have come in non-competitive matches, leaving him with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The recent Unity Cup, where Dessers continued his strong performances, including a goal and an assist against Ghana, serves as a poignant reminder of his capabilities. Despite these positive displays, the question remains: why hasn’t he been given the chance to replicate this form in official competitions?
The striker acknowledges the hurt and disappointment stemming from this ongoing situation. Having been part of the national team setup for five years without featuring in a single competitive match, he understandably feels overlooked. This feeling is exacerbated by missing out on two African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, competitions where he believed his form warranted inclusion in the squad. He recognizes the competitive landscape, particularly the presence of prominent strikers like Victor Osimhen, but maintains that he deserved an opportunity to showcase his abilities on the continental stage. This consistent exclusion raises questions about the selection criteria and whether Dessers is being unfairly judged based on his friendly performances rather than his overall potential.
While the international scene presents a frustrating puzzle, Dessers’s club career tells a different story. His prolific goal-scoring record for Rangers, culminating in the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot last season with 29 goals in 55 appearances, underscores his consistent ability to find the back of the net. This stark contrast between his club success and his international struggles highlights the disconnect between his perceived value at different levels of the game. It also raises the question of whether external factors, such as tactical preferences or perceived fit within the national team’s system, are contributing to his continued exclusion from competitive matches.
Despite the setbacks and disappointments, Dessers remains driven by his love for the game. He emphasizes his commitment to training, playing, and working hard, even in the face of doubt and criticism. This unwavering dedication and perseverance fuel his belief that he will eventually receive the recognition and opportunities he deserves. His focus remains on earning a call-up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September, a milestone that would finally allow him to fulfill his dream of representing Nigeria in a competitive match. This determination, coupled with his consistent club performances, suggests that Dessers is unlikely to give up on his international aspirations anytime soon.
Dessers’s situation represents a complex interplay of individual talent, team dynamics, and selection decisions. While his consistent performances in friendlies demonstrate his capabilities, his absence from competitive fixtures creates a sense of unfulfilled potential. His ongoing struggle to break into the competitive squad highlights the challenges faced by players who excel in less pressurized environments but struggle to gain recognition when it matters most. His unwavering determination, however, suggests that he will continue to strive for the opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage, hoping that his club form and persistent efforts will eventually convince the national team selectors to give him the chance he craves.
