Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has given an update on the injury status of Cyriel Dessers and Ryan Alebiosu ahead of Nigeria's round of 16 Africa Cup of Nations match against Mozambique on Monday.

Dessers withdrew from the tournament due to a thigh injury, while Alebiosu is all but ruled out of the round of 16 encounter after suffering a deep cut to his right leg during his cap-tying appearance against Uganda.

While Dessers has gone back to his club, Panathinaikos, to continue his recovery, Alebiosu remains in Morocco where he is undergoing rehabilitation with the team.

Addressing the media during his press conference, Chelle disclosed that the former Rangers forward could be sidelined for a minimum of ten weeks. 

"I heard some news this morning about Cyriel. He has a big injury, maybe about ten or twelve weeks," the Malian tactician revealed at the pre-match press conference.

"I am disappointed for him but we have to look in front of us. But for him, we have to play a game tomorrow."

However, Chelle is optimistic Alebiosu will return to action soon.

"Ryan will come back maybe in a few days because this injury was big too but he is fine," Chelle added. 

"He is better every day so I think today he will start to run. We would see, day after day."

Nigeria will be eager to secure a positive result against Mozambique to book a place in the quarterfinals and avoid a repeat of the disappointment from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. 

During that tournament, the Super Eagles topped their group but were knocked out in the Round of 16 following a 1–0 defeat to Tunisia.

With qualification at stake, Chelle will be hoping his players rise to the occasion, overcome the injury setbacks, and keep Nigeria's hopes of winning the tournament firmly alive.

Adeyemi Adewale