Former Super Eagles forward John Utaka has called for more trust in Cyriel Dessers to be given opportunities with the national team after impressing at the Unity Cup 2025 tournament in London, Afrosport reports.
The 30-year-old scored the first goal in the 2-1 win over rivals Ghana in the semi-finals, with Nigeria ultimately going on to win the tournament for the third time in a row after defeating Jamaica on penalties.
Utaka, speaking on Brila FM, had high admiration for Dessers, who finished as Rangers’ top scorer last season with 29 goals in 55 competitive games.
“He’s a good finisher, I saw his goal,” the former RC Lens and Rennes player said.
“He’s a good finisher, I saw his goal against Ghana, he was very composed. He shows quality, to score that kind of goal requires maturity. I think it’s high time they gave him a chance.”
Dessers has now scored three goals in eight games for Nigeria, he is however yet to play in a competitive game, which he admits hurts.
“It hurts sometimes [to miss out on these tournaments]; It feels disappointing. I’ve been in and around the squad for five years now, and I haven’t played an official game yet, only friendly games, so I must say that hurts,” he told the Victor Modo YouTube channel.
“On the other hand, there are always a lot of different factors. Of course, you have a few strikers, like, for example, Victor Osimhen, who is a clear number one, and there are always others; it always depends on form, on choices, on personal opinion.”
Naijaaaaa
Derby win v Ghana, let’s gooo
#UnityCup2025 https://t.co/x9xecuhbgC
— Cyriel Dessers (@CyrielDessers) May 28, 2025
Dessers will have another opportunity to make his name in the Nigerian shirt when the Super Eagles take on Russia in an international friendly in Moscow on Friday.
