Nigeria's Super Eagles have been dealt a significant blow at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as striker Cyriel Dessers has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament following a persistent thigh injury. The 31-year-old Panathinaikos forward, who has yet to feature in the competition, returned to his club in Greece on January 2, 2026, after medical assessments confirmed he could not recover in time for the knockout stages.
Dessers' injury, which flared up during the group stage preparations, has been a source of frustration for both the player and head coach Eric Chelle. Despite showing strong form at club level prior to the tournament, the former Rangers man was unable to make an appearance as Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect record—winning all three matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda while scoring eight goals.
The setback was confirmed in updates from the Super Eagles camp, with reports indicating Dessers underwent scans that revealed the extent of the thigh strain. His departure thins Nigeria's attacking options, particularly in depth behind star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been pivotal in the group's success. Osimhen, managed carefully with a load management program, was absent from New Year's Day training but is expected to lead the line against Mozambique.
In related team news, Galatasaray's Osimhen missed the January 1 session alongside Dessers and defender Ryan Alebiosu, who is recovering from a leg injury sustained in the final group game. However, coaching staff clarified that Osimhen's absence was precautionary to ensure peak fitness for the elimination rounds, providing a boost ahead of the clash with the Mambas.
Nigeria's round of 16 fixture against Mozambique is scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. The Super Eagles enter as favorites, having dominated their group with authoritative displays, including a 3-1 victory over Uganda. Chelle's side has built momentum, conceding just four goals while showcasing attacking flair from players like Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.
Nigeria will now rely more heavily on Osimhen, supported by options like Paul Onuachu, who scored in the group stage. The team resumed closed-door training on January 2, focusing on tactics for Mozambique, who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams.
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