Panathinaikos FC and Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has broken his silence after being forced to withdraw from the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco due to injury, Softfootball reports.
Dessers picked up the knock during one of Nigeria’s training sessions just before the Super Eagles’ group-stage clash against Uganda. Following medical assessments, it was confirmed that the forward would be sidelined for between 10 and 12 weeks, leading to the decision to allow him return to his club to focus fully on recovery.
The injury officially ruled Dessers out of the remainder of the AFCON 2025 tournament, a difficult blow for both the player and the Nigerian camp.
Reacting publicly for the first time, Dessers shared an emotional message with fans:
Hi guys unfortunately I sustained an injury at AFCON. It’s extremely difficult to accept that I will miss the remainder of the tournament and an important period at Panathinaikos. I will be your biggest fan in these weeks, go full into rehab and hopefully we can celebrate a win and a goal together soon.
Despite his absence, the Super Eagles have continued their impressive AFCON run. Nigeria thrashed Mozambique 4–0 in the Round of 16 and will now face Algeria in the quarter-finals as they push for continental glory.
Dessers’ focus now turns to rehabilitation, with hopes of returning stronger for both club and country in the coming weeks.
