Heracles Almelo striker Cyriel Dessers has revealed that he had a conversation with Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr before receiving his maiden call-up to the Super Eagles.
Born to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, the 25-year-old had been on the radar of Nigeria Football Federation higher-ups following his brilliant form in the Dutch Eredivisie and assured Amaju Pinnick back in December that he has opted to represent the Super Eagles over his country of birth.
Dessers has switched allegiances after previously training with a Belgium U21 national team with Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and Chelsea-owned striker Charly Musonda in their ranks.
"I know they kept an eye on me. I recently had a really positive chat with the national team coach,'' a delighted Dessers told Heracles TV.
"They invited me to explain what they expected from me if I would be invited. Aslo what I could expect from the invite.
"They wanted to prepare me for everything. We talked a lot about football and Heracles Almelo too, about the Eredivisie as well. It was a really nice conversation. "
"They invited me to explain what they expected from me if I would be invited. Aslo what I could expect from the invite.
"They wanted to prepare me for everything. We talked a lot about football and Heracles Almelo too, about the Eredivisie as well. It was a really nice conversation. "
Dessers has labeled Nigeria 'the biggest football country' and is looking forward to making his debut for the three-time African champions.
"Nigeria is not a standard country in Africa, one of the biggest countries and the biggest football country. That means a lot to me.
"If I hear the stories I can expect a lot from the arrival . I also look forward to the game of course.
"It is really special for me because there are millions of people in Nigeria, it is really special they want me for their striker position.
"I know there are a lot of people in Nigeria who watch football streams and watch games of Heracles Almelo.
"You can watch the Premier League or Real Madrid and Barcelona, but they watch Heracles Almelo as well.
"This is a really special compliment for me and for the club. That is really nice, really special," he added.
"If I hear the stories I can expect a lot from the arrival . I also look forward to the game of course.
"It is really special for me because there are millions of people in Nigeria, it is really special they want me for their striker position.
"I know there are a lot of people in Nigeria who watch football streams and watch games of Heracles Almelo.
"You can watch the Premier League or Real Madrid and Barcelona, but they watch Heracles Almelo as well.
"This is a really special compliment for me and for the club. That is really nice, really special," he added.
Dessers is the leading scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals from 25 games and has scored another three in the KNVB beker.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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