Cyriel Dessers Needs a ‘Godfather’ as His Form Alone Doesn’t Earn Him a Fair Shot with Super Eagles

Despite an impressive tally of 22 goals and counting this season, Cyriel Dessers seems to be struggling to secure a place in Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad.

The forward, who has been in stellar form for his club, continues to be overlooked in favor of other strikers like Umar Sadiq, Victor Boniface, and Tolu Arokodare. This has raised questions among fans and pundits alike, who are baffled by the decision to overlook Dessers, especially given his outstanding goal-scoring record.

In recent call-ups for Nigeria’s international fixtures, Dessers has consistently found himself on the outside looking in, with no explanation for why he’s being passed over despite his exceptional performance. With 22 goals already this season, Dessers’ form is undeniably superior to that of some of his counterparts, yet he remains on the periphery of the national team, sparking frustration among Nigerian football fans.

Many Nigerians have taken to social media and public forums to voice their discontent, questioning the rationale behind the omission of a striker who is in red-hot form. While no disrespect is intended towards Umar Sadiq, Victor Boniface, or Tolu Arokodare—who have all shown promise for the national team—Dessers’ continued exclusion is perplexing to many, given his superior current form.

The question being raised is whether Dessers’ lack of a “godfather” in the Super Eagles’ ranks might be contributing to his exclusion. In Nigerian football, as in many other parts of the world, connections and influential backers—often referred to as “godfathers”—can sometimes play a role in a player’s selection for the national team. While Dessers’ undeniable talent is clear, some believe that without a powerful figure to advocate for him, his stellar performances may be going unnoticed by the Super Eagles' decision-makers.

Fans of the national team are expressing growing frustration, calling for fairness and meritocracy in player selection. Many argue that Dessers’ form warrants a call-up, and that his exclusion sends a troubling message about how players are chosen to represent the country.

Dessers, who has enjoyed successful spells in both the Dutch and Italian leagues, is a player who has continually proven his worth at the club level. His 22 goals this season are a testament to his clinical finishing and consistency. Yet, despite his achievements, the striker seems to be facing an uphill battle in breaking into the national team under current circumstances.

As the Super Eagles prepare for upcoming international fixtures, many are hoping that the technical staff will reconsider Dessers’ exclusion and give him the recognition he rightfully deserves based on his performances on the pitch, rather than factors unrelated to his footballing ability.