Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers came up clutch for Panathinaikos against CSKA Sofia on Tuesday night.

The 31-year-old came off the bench to score the decisive goal as Panathinaikos edged CSKA Sofia in the third round of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.

The Nigerian international was introduced in the 65th minute of the game and went on to score the winner for his side in the first half of extra time.

Dessers' strike helped the Greek side seal their place in the playoff round on a 3-2 aggregate score.

The decisive second leg was played at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Athens.

Panathinaikos took to social media to celebrate the return of the Super Eagles star, “Back like he never left,” the club wrote on X.

Dessers last played for Panathinaikos in December 2025 against Volos in the Greek Super League.

The former Rangers striker sustained a long-term injury while on national duty with the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

WDN