Cyriel Dessers has equalled Mikael Ishak’s record of 13 goals to become the joint-top scorer in UEFA Conference League (UECL) history.
The Super Eagles striker was excellent as Panathinaikos thrashed Kairat Almaty 5-1 on matchday two of the league phase, Dessers scored twice, opening the scoring in the 24th minute from the penalty spot after winning the spot-kick himself.
He doubled his tally in the 47th minute with a fine left-footed finish, but his hopes of completing a hat-trick ended in the 56th minute when he was substituted.
The brace took Dessers’ UEFA Conference League league phase and group stage tally to 13 goals, drawing him level with Lech Poznas Swedish forward Mikael Ishak at the top of the all-time scoring chart, excluding qualifying rounds.
The Panathinaikos number 9 has been enjoying a rich vein of form since the start of the season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, including six in the Conference League and its qualifying rounds.
Ten of Dessers’ goals in the UEFA Conference League came during his time at Feyenoord Rotterdam in the 2021–22 season, when he won the competition’s Golden Boot and was named in the Team of the Season.
Another Nigerian striker, Gift Orban, ranks seventh on the all-time top scorers list with 10 goals for Belgian side Genks.