President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), has praised Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers and Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche for their standout performances during the recent Four-Nation Unity Cup tournament in London, Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Dessers and Uche, previously overlooked in March\u2019s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, were handed fresh opportunities under new head coach Eric Chelle.<\/p>\n Both players seized the moment, making impressive contributions that caught the attention of the coaching crew and the NFF hierarchy.<\/p>\n Dessers was arguably the star of the tournament, scoring one goal and providing an assist in Nigeria\u2019s two games, while Uche kept his composure to net the decisive penalty in the final against Jamaica. The 22-year-old Getafe midfielder also earned his first start for Nigeria in an international friendly against Russia last week.<\/p>\n Speaking to the NFF website<\/a> on the team\u2019s performances, Gusau said:<\/p>\n \u201cI can tell you categorically that we achieved our sporting objectives, which were the most important in this case. The principal goal was to provide windows for the coach and his crew to take a look at new players that might be positive additions to the team going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He added that both the tournament in London and the friendly in Moscow had provided vital scouting opportunities for the Super Eagles\u2019 technical staff.<\/p>\n \u201cI had some conversations with Coach Eric Chelle, and I could see that he was pleased with the opportunities that the tournament in London (Unity Cup) that we won, and the friendly match with Russia that we drew, provided for him and his assistants.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The NFF president also named other players who stood out during the break, including Genk striker Tolu Arokodare, who scored in the 1-1 draw against Russia, and goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who was lauded for his return to form.<\/p>\n \u201cApart from the regulars that we already know what they are capable of, the tournament in London afforded us the opportunity to see players like Benjamin Frederick, Felix Agu, Christantus Uche and Igoh Ogbu.<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw more of Cyriel Dessers. The home-based professionals (Papa Daniel Mustapha, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, Collins Ogwueze) did not fare badly either,\u201d Gusau explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Russia, we saw more of Uche and we saw Tolu Arokodare score a poacher\u2019s goal. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was also excellent on his return and captain Ekong held the defence unit well.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, we have options in defence, midfield and the attack, and I am quite satisfied with the team\u2019s output in the three matches.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The Super Eagles edged past Ghana 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup at Brentford\u2019s Gtech Community Stadium on May 28, before beating Jamaica 5-4 on penalties in the final following a thrilling 2-2 draw.<\/p>\n The former African champions rounded off the international window with a gutsy 1-1 draw against Russia at the Luzhniki Stadium, courtesy of a well-taken second-half strike from Arokodare.<\/p>\n With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, both Uche and Dessers will be hoping to convert their recent breakthroughs into competitive debuts \u2014 and, potentially, earn places in Nigeria\u2019s squad for their next major tournament, the 2025 AFCON.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/imago1062652614-750x500-1.jpg\")
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