NIGERIA manager Augustine Eguavoen has defended his decision to snub Rangers top scorer Cyriel Dessers for his Super Eagles squad again.

Dessers has scored seven goals for the Ibrox side this season, including doubles against Ross County and Dundee.

But he continues to be overlooked for the Nigeria team and hasn't been included in a squad since March this year where he won the latest of his six caps against Mali.

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He wasn't included again for this week's African Cup of Nations double-header qualifiers against Libya.

But Eguavoen insisted Dessers was in his plans looking ahead.

He said: "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."

But the Seville striker has yet to score a single goal for his club this season, although he has netted 15 international goals for his country.