Super Eagles coach Austin Eguaveon has argued that he preferred a struggling Kelechi Iheanacho to Cyriel Dessers, because he has more experience than the Rangers top striker.
Iheanacho continue to struggle with his form at his new club Seville with no goals to show, while Dessers who has played six times and scored two goals for the Super Eagles has netted seven times for Rangers this season including braces against Ross County and Dundee.
With the sidelining of Victor Osimhen due to injury, it was expected that Dessers would be given a chance to play but Eguaveon noted: “I decided to include Kelechi Iheanacho of Seville when it became clear Victor Osimhen would not be fit in time.
“I looked at both Cyriel Dessers and Tolu Arokodare, but opted for Kelechi this time because he is the more experienced striker.”
Dessers had hoped to be included in the Super Eagles squad to the 2023 AFCON in Cote ‘d Ivoire after Victor Boniface was ruled out due to injury. But it was Terem Moffi that got the nod instead from coach Jose Peseiro who was in charge of the team then.
Iheanacho has scored 15 goals for the Super Eagles from 55 appearances.
