Eagles Friendly: Foreign-born invitee set for debut

Racing Genk striker, Cyriel Dessers said it is a dream come true to feature for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as he prepares to make his debut.

Dessers burst into the public consciousness last season when he emerged as the Eredivisie’s top scorer despite playing for unfancied Heracles Almelo.

Born in Belgian to a Nigerian mother, the former Utrecht ace made public his desire to star for the African giants instead of his country of birth, Soccernet reports.

Super Eagles’ head coach Gernot Rohr first invited Dessers in March for the doubleheader 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.

The two games, however, couldn’t hold as scheduled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Again, Rohr extended another invitation to the 25-year-old forward despite his patchy form since his transfer to Racing Genk.

But Dessers is less concerned about his club woes and more consumed about his dream to be a Super Eagle.

In a chat with Super Eagles Media Officer Toyin Ibitoye, the striker said: ”Hi my fellow Nigerians, I am Cyriel Dessers, 25 years old, I’m a striker now playing in KRC Genk in Belgium.

“I’m really happy to be here, my first call-up for the Super Eagles, it’s a dream that comes true.

“I can’t wait to be on the pitch, play the games, to meet you, the fans, and I hope to see you soon.”

Dessers has no international caps at the youth level for his country of birth, Belgium.

Meet @CyrielDessers,
One of our new super stars.
He is looking forward to meeting our fans.#SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong pic.twitter.com/IRorJ12coU

— ???????? Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 7, 2020