Super Eagles Forward Dessers Fires Club Into Conference League Play-offs

Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers scored an extra-time winner as Panathinaikos defeated CSKA 1948 2-1 in Sofia to secure a place in the UEFA Conference League play-off round.

Dessers struck in the 94th minute at the Vasil Levski National Stadium, restoring Panathinaikos’ lead just two minutes after Lasha Dvali had equalised for the Bulgarian hosts.

The victory gave the Greek side a 3-2 aggregate win following last week’s 1-1 draw in Athens.

Panathinaikos took the lead in the 66th minute when Levi Garcia found the bottom corner from a difficult angle.

CSKA 1948 responded late, with Dvali converting in the 92nd minute to force extra time.

However, Panathinaikos quickly regained the advantage through Dessers, who reacted inside the box to fire a right-footed effort into the bottom-left corner and settle the contest.

The result completed a dramatic turnaround for Panathinaikos, who had been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on August 5.

Dessers’ decisive goal was particularly significant after the striker returned from a lengthy thigh injury that kept him out for about six months.

The Nigeria forward had resumed full training with Panathinaikos ahead of the 2026/27 season and marked his return with a crucial goal that kept the club’s European campaign alive.

Panathinaikos will now face the Conference League play-off round, with Dessers’ late intervention proving decisive in a tie that remained in the balance until extra time.