Season over for injured Nigeria star with 4 Super Eagles goals after surgery blow

Cyriel Dessers’ season has come to an early and painful end after the Nigeria striker opted for surgery to finally resolve a stubborn injury picked up during the Africa Cup of Nations, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 29-year-old Panathinaikos forward had initially hoped to avoid going under the knife after damaging a tendon linked to the rectus femoris muscle in his right thigh. The injury occurred just before Nigeria’s third group game at AFCON and quickly became a major concern for both club and country.

At first, Dessers and the club’s medical team chose a cautious rehabilitation plan. The idea was simply to allow the injury to heal naturally and give him a chance of returning before the end of the campaign. For weeks, he followed a structured recovery programme, working his way back gradually.

But hopes of a quick return faded in mid-March. When Dessers stepped up his training intensity, he began to feel discomfort again. Further medical tests confirmed the worst, the injury had not healed properly. At that point, surgery became the only realistic long-term solution.

The former Rangers FC striker has now undergone the procedure abroad, with Panathinaikos closely monitoring his recovery, according to Greek outlet, Sportal.

Early indications suggest he will not return to action this season, with a comeback targeted for early July, in time for pre-season ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign.

His absence is a significant setback for both the player and the club, especially at a crucial stage of the season.

Nigeria’s Dessers: A bright start cut short in Greece

Dessers’ injury is even more frustrating given how well he had started life in Greece. After joining Panathinaikos in September 2025 for a reported £3.5 million, he wasted little time making an impression.

He announced himself in style by scoring the winning goal on his debut in the Greek Cup against Kallithea. That early strike quickly endeared him to supporters and set the tone for what looked like a promising campaign.

Not long after, he delivered again on the big stage, scoring his first league goal in a high-profile derby against Olympiacos. Goals in back-to-back matches showed his sharpness in front of goal and highlighted why Panathinaikos had moved to sign him.

In total, Dessers made five league appearances, scoring twice, while also adding a decisive goal in the cup and featuring in European competition. Though the sample size was small, his impact was clear; he brought energy, movement, and a reliable goal threat to the attack.

His performances suggested he could become a key figure in Panathinaikos’ push for domestic success. Instead, a serious thigh injury in late December halted his momentum completely.

The club has since had to adjust, even removing him from their Europa League squad to focus on his long-term recovery. For a team competing on multiple fronts, losing a striker in form has been a major blow. Dessers’ has four goals in 11 appearances for Nigeria.

Panathinaikos are currently off the pace in the Greek title race with the club 13 points behind league leaders AEK Athens after 27 matchdays.