Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers marked his return from a lengthy injury layoff with a decisive extra-time goal as Panathinaikos defeated CSKA 1948 Sofia 2-1 to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League play-offs.
According to Punch, the Nigerian forward came off the bench in the second half before striking five minutes into extra time to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory for the Greek side following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Dessers entered the game in the 65th minute as Panathinaikos searched for a breakthrough in a tightly contested encounter in Sofia.
Levi Garcia had given the visitors the lead in the 60th minute, putting Panathinaikos ahead in the tie.
However, Lasha Dvali equalised for CSKA 1948 in the 87th minute, forcing the match into extra time with the aggregate score level at 2-2.
Dessers delivers in extra time
With the tie hanging in the balance, Dessers made his opportunity count.
The Nigerian reacted quickly after the CSKA goalkeeper failed to deal properly with a cross into the penalty area, leaving him with the chance to finish into an exposed net and restore Panathinaikos’ lead.
His goal proved decisive as the Greek club held on to complete a 2-1 victory on the night and advance 3-2 on aggregate.
The strike was particularly significant for Dessers after an injury-hit period that had kept him away from competitive action for several months.
His last competitive appearance had come in December 2025 before injury interrupted his season and forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation.
Return boosts Super Eagles striker
The goal provides an encouraging start to the new campaign for the 31-year-old, who will be hoping to put his injury problems behind him and re-establish himself as an important part of Panathinaikos’ attack.
Dessers is no stranger to the Conference League.
During the 2021/22 season, he enjoyed a memorable run with Feyenoord, finishing as the competition’s leading scorer as the Dutch club reached the final.
His latest goal has now helped Panathinaikos move one step closer to the league phase of the competition.
The Greek side will next contest the Conference League play-off round, with the two legs scheduled for later in August.
For Dessers, the comeback could hardly have been better timed — returning from months on the sidelines and immediately scoring the goal that kept Panathinaikos’ European campaign alive.
