Rangers have been boosted by the news that Nigerian internationals and influential first-teamers Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun are on their way back home from international duty due to Covid-19 rules.
The African duo were taking part in World Cup Qualifiers for the nation and both started the 2-0 victory over Liberia in Lagos last Friday.
However, all the United Kingdom-based players in the squad have returned the UK ahead of the country’s clash away in the Cape Verde Islands this afternoon.
According to Soccernet:
“Nigeria approach this game missing a handful of first-team regulars who distinguished themselves against Liberia but have departed for their United Kingdom-based clubs.
“Head coach Gernot Rohr will be without Friday’s two-goal hero Kelechi Iheanacho, MVP Alex Iwobi, first-choice centre-backs Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong, Rangers ace Joe Aribo, Watford star Oghenekaro Etebo, and Leicester City dynamo Wilfred Ndidi.
“It’s a massive drop in quality for the Super Eagles in the absence of these main actors.”
This is because Cape Verde are currently on the United Kingdom’s red list for Covid-19 protocols.
This will stand as a sizeable boost for Rangers who will be hoping to have their best players back at their Auchenhowie HQ as soon as possible.
Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun are hugely influential players for the club and it’s clear from a Rangers POV that playing one less game and returning early is a positive.
Rangers are about to enter a hectic playing schedule with a run of seven games in under four weeks before the next international break in October.
This kicks off against St Johnstone on Saturday afternoon before the Gers host Ligue 1 Lyon at Ibrox in the Europa League group stages next Thursday.
Read more about the contribution of both Rangers stars to the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Liberia in the World Cup Qualifiers.
