Dessers confesses competition for Eagles’ shirt is tough as World Cup qualifier camp opens on Sunday in Uyo

 Super Eagles and Rangers of Glasgow forward Cyriel Dessers says the strength in depth available to Nigeria is “absurd” as he awaits to see if he will be selected for Africa Cup of Nations duty.

The 28-year-old has not been included in a Nigeria squad since last November, when an unused substitute for the friendly with Portugal, while his most recent appearance was in September 2022.

Dessers is hopeful of getting the nod for his national side ahead of January’s AFCON, but that will likely depend on his form at club level over the next month.

 “The last few times I was in the Nigeria pre-selection squad, but not in the final selection,” Dessers said, as per the Daily Record.

“If you look at the other strikers and the form that they are in, I can understand that.

 “We have a few players competing to be the third or fourth striker and then it depends on form. The competition in Nigeria is absurd.

 “I could have chosen to play for Belgium, but I am very happy with my choice. I have already experienced fantastic moments.

“My first international goal, in front of a hundred thousand spectators against Mexico in Dallas, is a moment I will never forget.”

For some context, Nigeria’s most recent squad for last month’s fixtures included Victor Boniface, Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, former Gers winger Joe Aribo and a few other notable names.

That is quite the list of attacking players, and it is little wonder that Dessers is therefore on the outside looking in ahead of this upcoming major tournament.

The only way he is going to squeeze himself into squad contention is by going on a goalscoring run for the Light Blues, but there is little indication of that happening right now.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles players will regroup in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Sunday to begin camping for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Crocodiles of Lesotho on November 16.

The Group C encounter will be held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

According to Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) Media Director, Ademola Olajire, all logistics for the successful organisation of the game are already in place, while the list of players for the match will come out on Friday.

The Super Eagles were to battle Lesotho initially on Friday, November 17, but the date was shifted by FIFA to Thursday, November 16.

Apart from Lesotho, the Super Eagles will also play against Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda and Benin Republic in Group C of Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing on the away goals rule to the Black Stars of Ghana. They drew goalless in Accra and played out a 1-1 draw at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, to crash out of the race to Qatar.

This term, the Eagles have promised to ensure Nigeria does not miss another World Cup competition.

After the match against Lesotho, the Eagles will fly to Southern Africa to meet the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.