New Panathinaikos FC striker Cyriel Dessers reached a major career milestone on Saturday as he became officially cap-tied to Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
This follows his appearance in the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
The former Rangers forward was introduced in the 35th minute after Victor Osimhen picked up a knock and could not continue.
Although Dessers did not find the scoresheet, his presence was a threat to the opponent’s defence and carried long-term implications for his international career, as FIFA rules now confirm him as permanently committed to Nigeria.
Cyriel Dessers: Friendlies to Forever
Before the Rwanda clash, Dessers had only featured in eight friendly games for the Super Eagles—despite making his debut for Nigeria in 2020. This meant that he was still technically eligible to switch allegiance to another nation.
However, World Cup qualifiers fall under competitive senior fixtures, and his appearance in Uyo ended any possibility of a change.
The striker, who was also eligible to play for the Belgian national team, is now fully tied down to Nigeria, ensuring his international future lies with the three-time African champions.
Welcome Home @CyrielDessers pic.twitter.com/LcGymFzwTW
— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 4, 2025
What It Means for Nigeria
Dessers joins a growing pool of Nigerian attackers competing for places in the squad. With Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Terem Moffi also in the mix, his cap-tying provides options for Eric Chelle.
Nigeria also retains a player with valuable European experience, having played in Belgium, Italy, Scotland, and now in Greece with 20-time Super League Greece champions, Panathinaikos.
Nigeria vs Rwanda: On the Night
The Rwanda clash itself was decided by another debutant, Tolu Arokodare, who came off the bench in the second half to score the winning goal.
Young Brentford defender Benjamin Fredrick also earned his first competitive cap, starting and finishing the game in Uyo.