Cyriel Dessers is fast establishing himself as a reliable weapon in high-stakes clashes, particularly in West Africa’s fiercely contested ‘Jollof Derby’ between Nigeria and Ghana.
The Rangers forward struck once again against the Black Stars, opening the scoring in the 14th minute of Wednesday’s Unity Cup semifinal at London’s Gtech Community Stadium. His composed finish—after expertly controlling a pinpoint cross from Sodiq Ismail—set the tone for a 2-1 victory that mirrored Nigeria’s triumph in Marrakech just ten months earlier.
In both fixtures, Dessers was the man to draw first blood, underlining his reputation as a clinical finisher in derby settings. Wednesday’s goal was followed swiftly by an own goal from Ghana’s Razak Simpson, giving the Super Eagles a comfortable early cushion that proved enough to secure their place in the final against Jamaica.
For Dessers, it’s a continuation of a red-hot run in national colours—and a reminder of his growing stature on the international stage.
The 30-year-old’s sharp eye for goal and ability to deliver under pressure has drawn praise from former Nigeria international Brown Ideye, who has called for Dessers to be given a more prominent role with the national team.
“Amazing performance last night from Cyriel Dessers,” Ideye wrote on social media following Nigeria’s win over Ghana. “Watching him play in his club, he deserves more playing time with the Super Eagles, what a player.”
Ideye, a key member of Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, joins a growing number of voices backing Dessers to become a regular feature in the Super Eagles attack. With the striker consistently proving his value in high-profile encounters, calls for his increased involvement may soon become impossible to ignore.
Cyriel Dessers’ rich vein of form — both for club and country — is rapidly elevating his standing within the Super Eagles setup. With 29 goals and seven assists in 55 appearances for Rangers, the 30-year-old has proven to be one of the most consistent Nigerian forwards in Europe, and his four goals in just seven caps for Nigeria underline an impressive level of efficiency on the international stage.
What sets Dessers apart is not just his finishing, but his composure under pressure — particularly evident in the ‘Jollof Derby’ against Ghana. In both Nigeria’s 2-1 win in Marrakech and the recent Unity Cup semifinal victory in London, Dessers delivered the crucial opening goal, setting the tone for his team’s dominance. His sharp reaction to Sodiq Ismail’s assist on Wednesday, followed by a composed finish, reinforced his reputation as a big-game performer.
These standout moments have only deepened the Super Eagles’ current five-match unbeaten streak against their bitter rivals (two wins, three draws — excluding CHAN qualifiers). While Victor Osimhen remains the undisputed No. 9 when fit, Dessers’ ability to seize the spotlight in high-stakes derbies offers Nigeria a powerful and experienced option in the attacking ranks — especially in tournament settings where depth is key.
The recall by coach Eric Chelle — following a 10-game absence — now looks like a masterstroke. Dessers’ recent performances have not only vindicated that decision, but sparked a conversation about his role moving forward. In the eyes of fans and pundits alike, including 2013 AFCON winner Brown Ideye, the message is clear: Dessers has earned his place.
If he continues this trajectory, the Belgium-born forward could become an integral figure in Nigeria’s journey toward the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, especially as his clinical edge and mental resilience seem tailor-made for knockout football and derby battles alike.#newsafro_
