Friendly against Mexico: I’m proud to score my first goal for Nigeria, says Dessers

Cyriel Dessers has said he was proud to score his first goal for Nigeria.

Although, the player-only goal was not good enough to redeem the Super Eagles’ image in the international friendly game against Mexico as they lost 1-2 on Saturday.

The Europa Conference League top scorer bagged the equalizer with a superb downward header off a cross from Calvin Bassey.

Santiago Gimenez had given Mexico the lead in the 12th minute while an own goal by William Troost-Ekong saw the Eagles go behind again.

And commenting on his first goal for the Eagles, Dessers wrote on Twitter:“Mexico v Nigeria, couldn’t be more proud to score my 1st international goal 🇳🇬.”

"Couldn’t be more proud to score my 1st international goal" 🇳🇬

📸 (IG): Cyriel Dessers pic.twitter.com/1Jkfjw8yzK

— GOAL Africa (@GOALAfrica) May 30, 2022

The Belgian-born striker had the opportunity to add to his tally when the Eagles face Ecuador in another friendly on June 2.

He emerged the first-ever top scorer in the inaugural Europa Conference League with 10 goals.

Unfortunately, he failed to help Feyenoord land a first European title since 2002 following their 1-0 defeat to Roma in the final.

Born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, Dessers chose to represent Nigeria at the international level in December 2019.

On 4 March 2020, he was called up by former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr as part of the players invited for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Sierra Leone.

Dessers debuted for Nigeria in a friendly 1–1 draw with Tunisia on 13 October 2020.

In July 2017, Dessers moved to FC Utrecht, agreeing on a contract for three years with an option for an additional year. On 11 August 2017, he scored the first goal in the competition.

After the 2019–20 Eredivisie season was abandoned, Dessers was jointly awarded the Top Goalscorer award alongside Steven Berghuis with fifteen goals each.