Rangers: Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro details why Cyriel Dessers was dealt latest international snub
Jose Peseiro has revealed why Rangers ace Cyriel Dessers was amongst the players left out of the squad for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigeria boss said on Wednesday (3 December, via the Daily Record) that he could have taken two more players, but he decided to select just 25 for the international tournament, with the 29-year-old Gers forward missing the cut despite being named in the 41-man preliminary squad.
He admitted that it was “not easy” as the decision to leave players behind was based on current form and their condition heading into the competition in the Ivory Coast, with Dessers set to remain at Ibrox this month.
“We could have taken 27 players, but the Federation decided to go with 25 and I agreed because it is easy to manage this number,” said Peseiro. “We first came up with the 41 players, then the players who made the final list have been with us and they have shown good performance.
“For the ones who aren’t in the final squad, there are players who showed good performance for their clubs but didn’t do well in the national team. Also, there are players who do well for the national team and didn’t do well for their clubs.
“So we looked at current form if they are playing well and showed good condition and came up with the final list. It was not easy to choose the 25 players, but it was my responsibility and I hope and pray they play well for us.“
Blessing
It could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Rangers that Dessers hasn’t been called up by Nigeria because it would’ve left them short on options upfront.
The forward perhaps didn’t fancy his chances of making the final squad anyway after his last international appearance came in September 2022 and his form this season hasn’t exactly been great, having scored nine goals in 30 appearances.
The fact he was included in the preliminary squad could be why the Gers raced to get the deal done for Fabio Silva before January arrived in preparation for the four-cap Nigerian’s potential departure this month.
But the pair will now go head to head as they look to battle it out over who will lead the line for Philippe Clement in the coming matches, with Danilo sidelined for the next few months and Kemar Roofe struggling for fitness.
Although goals haven’t been much of a problem since the Belgian arrived in Glasgow, he will be looking for more from his other forwards in the second half of the season after Abdallah Sima has been the only attacker finding the net regularly.
With the Senegalese included in his country’s squad for the tournament, his teammates now need to deliver in his absence.
In other Rangers news, one player is surely finished at Ibrox after a signing has already been confirmed.