AFCON 2022: Cyril Dessers To Replace Ighalo, As Al Shabab Refuses To Release Him For Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

2019 African Cup of Nations highest goal scorer, Odion Ighalo, may not represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2022 AFCON tournament in Cameroon if feelers from the Super Eagles camp in Garoua, Cameroon is anything to go by.

Ighalo is still trapped in an imbroglio with his Saudi Arabia Club Side, Al Shabab over contractual agreement.

It was gathered that Ighalo was not released by his Saudi Arabia club Al Shabab owing to contractual reasons.

Before joining the White Lion from Shanghai Shenhua in 2021, the former Manchester United Football Club of England striker signed a clause that he would not be involved in international duties.

Prior to that move, Ighalo had announced his retirement from the Nigeria national team, however, he was recalled by former Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr as the German moved to solve the Super Eagles’ worrisome attacking line.

As it stands, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF,  Confederation of African Football, CAF and Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, are in talks with the Prince Khalid bin Sultan Stadium giants.

Except for any late consideration by the Saudi side, the Lagos-born goal poacher will be missing in action when Augustine Eguavoen’s men take on the rest of Africa in their quest for a fourth African title.

As it stands, Feyenoord Football Club of Holland striker, Cyril Dessers may be called upon to lead the Super Eagles attack as a last minute option for Interim Coach, Eguavoen.

After naming his 28-Man team on Christmas Day, Four players pulled out of the tournament due to injuries, Covid 19 and fangs baring of Watford Football Club led to the opting out of Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis.

If Ighalo is not released by the Saudi Club Side, the number of players that opted out will soar to Five.

Before now, Dessers who is superb form at the moment in the Dutch Eredivise League and as also been banging goals for his Club in Europe Competition, was part of the players who were tipped to make the list.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t make the cut. As it stands now, his hope for playing for the Super Eagles at the top stage could become a reality if Ighalo doesn’t make the cut and he is called upon as a replacement.

Dessers was Born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, Dessers chose to represent Nigeria at the international level in December 2019.

He was called up by the Nigeria national team in March 2020 as part of the team invited for the AFCON qualifying fixtures against the Sierra Leone national team.

Having failed to play in that showdown, he waited until October before making his bow in a friendly 1–1 draw with Tunisia in Austria.