Cremonese, the Italian Serie A club that pays the wages of Nigerian duo David Okereke and Cyriel Dessers, have been relegated with two games left in the season after suffering a 5-1 home loss to Bologna.
Cremonese entered the match with hopes of securing a victory or, at the very least, a draw to maintain their chances of survival in the topflight. Unfortunately, their aspirations were shattered by a relentless Bologna side, with Marko Arnautovic, Riccardo Orsolini, Lewis Ferguson, Stefan Posch, and substitute Nicola Sansone all finding the net. The comprehensive defeat condemned Cremonese to relegation after just a single season in Serie A.
Substitute Daniel Ciofani scored Cremonese’s consolation goal in the 91st minute.
The Nigerian duo, who were brought into the squad during the summer transfer window to bolster Cremonese’s scoring department, have endured a disappointing campaign. Okereke and Dessers, initially considered a potent strike force, only managed to combine for a total of 11 goals throughout the season.
Dessers, arriving from Belgian side Genk following an impressive loan spell at Dutch club Feyenoord, carried high expectations into the season. His remarkable performances, particularly in the UEFA Europa Conference League, played a pivotal role in Feyenoord’s journey to the final, where they narrowly lost to AS Roma. Dessers was recognized for his goal-scoring prowess by claiming the golden boots award.
Okereke, who had previously showcased his skills at Venezia during the 2021/22 season, had an opportunity to redeem himself with Cremonese. Although his goal tally was not as encouraging as desired, the club believed in his potential to contribute significantly to their success.
The relegation of Cremonese marks a bitter end to the season for Okereke and Dessers. However, both players possess the talent and determination to bounce back from this setback. As they reflect on their experiences, they will seek to regroup, learn, and emerge stronger in their future endeavors, hoping to secure success in their respective careers.
