Super Eagles and Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers has been left out of Eric Chelle’s 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
The 30-year-old forward has been in exceptional form for Rangers this season, netting 22 goals and providing six assists across all competitions. Dessers initially made Chelle’s 39-man provisional squad but failed to make the final cut.
The attacking lineup chosen by Chelle includes Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen), Moses Simon (FC Nantes), Sadiq Umar (Valencia), Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen), and Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk).
Dessers once again finds himself out in the Super Eagles wilderness.
A Surprising Omission
Dessers exclusion has sparked debates about Chelle’s attacking selections. While Genk forward Tolu Arokodare earned a maiden call-up, the inclusion of Sadiq Umar raised eyebrows.
Furthermore, Dessers has received high praise from notable figures in football. Jose Mourinho recently lauded the Rangers striker as the best player on the pitch when Rangers defeated Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Europa League.