AFCON 2025: Dessers’ dream & Osimhen’s burden

Cyriel Dessers’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) campaign has ended before it truly began, with the Panathinaikos striker leaving the Super Eagles camp after scans confirmed a thigh injury sustained in training. The forward had been eager to earn minutes at the tournament, but the medical update meant an immediate return to his club rather than a long-awaited debut on the big stage.

Nigeria closed out the group phase with three wins from three, yet the mood around camp softened when team officials confirmed that Dessers would play no further part in AFCON 2025. Press officer Promise Efoghe explained that the problem appeared during a training session ahead of the clash with Uganda, and medical staff moved quickly to run tests before ruling him out.

Get well soon, Cyriel 🫶🏾. pic.twitter.com/kgD7w1yQWy

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) January 2, 2026

His absence went some way toward explaining why Victor Osimhen was named in the lineup against the Cranes, despite expectations that Dessers would get his opportunity in a rotated side. Instead, the striker was omitted entirely from the matchday squad, with alternate forward Salim Fago drafted in to provide cover on the bench.

Osimhen to shoulder added AFCON 2025 responsibility

With Dessers no longer available, greater emphasis now rests on Osimhen’s fitness and durability as Nigeria head into the round of 16 against Mozambique.

With only three strikers left (the greenhorn Fago can be safely discounted), while playing a two-striker system, the technical crew must balance competitive edge with player management, knowing the margins tighten as AFCON 2025 goes deeper.

The 31-year-old had built momentum in recent international windows, scoring four times across friendlies and qualifiers, and had spoken openly about the personal meaning of finally featuring at a major tournament. That ambition now pauses, and there is every chance his international journey may close without a competitive tournament appearance.

It is a tragic turn of events for him, but its repercussions are wider. Fitness aside, there is also the matter of suspensions: Osimhen is also carrying a yellow, and another in the next two matches would rule him out of a potential semi-final.

The Super Eagles arrived in the AFCON knockouts with authority from their group performances, but the loss of a senior attacking option narrows selection choices.