Julius OkorieNigeria international and Scottish Rangers forward Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, has bid bachelorhood goodbye.
The 30-year-old former Genk striker tied the knot with his longtime partner, Rosalie De Ruysscher, in a glamorous wedding ceremony held on Saturday in Montalbano, southern Italy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe occasion reported by Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, was described as a “beautiful weekend” for the couple, who exchanged vows in the presence of family and close friends at a breathtaking location in the Italian countryside.
Cyriel Dessers’ wedding came shortly after five-star performance for Nigeria at the Unity Cup in London, where he scored a goal and recorded his first-ever assist for the national team.
His contributions helped the Super Eagles clinch the title in the friendly tournament last month. Prior to the London outing, Dessers who was born in Belgium to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother had made six outings for the Super Eagles.
Dessers, who was eligible to play for Belgium or Nigeria, chose to represent Nigeria at international level in December 2019. Earlier in his career, he was called up to the Belgium under-21 national team for a game against Moldova, but he was an unused substitute.
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Dessers who would have also faced Russia in the international friendly that ended in a draw, had requested to be excused from the squad due to preparations for his wedding.
His place in the team was taken by Olakunle Olusegun, the Krasnodar forward who earned his debut international call-up.
On the club front, Dessers had a phenomenal season with Scottish giants Rangers, netting 29 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions.
His blistering form earned him the Scottish Premiership Golden Boot, further cementing his status as one of the most in-form African strikers in Europe. He has scored three goals for the Super Eagles so far, including a brace against Ghana.
In January 2025, Dessers scored a hat-trick in Rangers fourth round Scottish Cup tie against Fraserburgh and finished the match as team captain in the absence of James Tavernier and Jack Butland.
Four days later, in a Europa League match against Manchester United, he scored Rangers equaliser in a 2–1 defeat.
In March 2025 in the first game under Barry Ferguson in Europe, Rangers beat Fenerbahçe 3–1 away from home, Dessers earned plaudits ‘praise after scoring and assisting, whilst also having two goals ruled narrowly offside.
There is time for everything no doubt under the sun, time to play on the pitch and time to face the home front. Families and well-wishers have already prayed for Dessers and his partner to enjoy a blissful marriage.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
