Super Eagles head coach, Eric Sekhou Chelle, has suffered a big blow ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers in September, Soccernet.ng reports.
The three-time AFCON Champions are set to take on South Africa and Rwanda next month as they look to claim a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but could be without their talisman in the process.
Nigeria’s Unity Cup hero, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, picked up a nasty injury in Rangers’ UEFA Champions League qualification clash against Viktoria Plzen at the Doosan Arena.
Cyriel Dessers looked in pain as he was helped from the pitch with what appeared to be a suspected knee injury…#RangersFC I #UCL pic.twitter.com/2WqcQgF7QS
— PLZ Soccer (@PLZSoccer) August 12, 2025
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The Belgium-born Nigerian was on the scoresheet in the Gers‘ first leg 3-0 win over the Czech side, and was handed a starting spot in the second leg by Russell Martin.
Rafiu Durosinmi broke the deadlock against Rangers in the 41st minute, before Lyall Cameron equalised in the 61st minute.
Svetozar Markovic scored the game’s winner, but the Scottish side marched on into the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualification round.
The Record Scottish Champions will now face Club Brugge in the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, but the game against Plzen was marred by an injury.
Dessers is feared to have suffered a nasty injury after hobbling off in the 51st minute. The striker went down in a heap with what appeared to be a knee and ankle twist as the Ibrox men trailed the Czechs early in the second half, still leading on aggregate.
A stretcher was initially called for, but was eventually not needed. The Super Eagles star was then helped off the pitch by two members of the Rangers’ medical staff and was replaced by Danilo.
The 30-year-old striker had earlier received treatment for another issue early in the game but was able to continue.
What Dessers‘ injury means for Eric Chelle‘s Super Eagles
The extent of the injury is still unknown, but the striker wore a brace after the game, and further checks will determine how long the ex-Cremonese forward will be out.
While it is believed Eric Chelle’s starting striker at the World Cup qualifiers will be Victor Osimhen, Dessers’ injury means the ex-Mali coach has a smaller pool of replacements to pick from should the need arise.
Additionally, the injury could cost the Rangers striker a place in Chelle’s AFCON squad if he’s out for too long.
In the meantime, the Super Eagles’ head coach will be hoping his remaining strikers stay fit for the games against Rwanda and South Africa.