Rangers defender Leon Balogun performed well in a historic international clash for Nigeria against Lesotho in Lagos on Tuesday evening.
Fellow Gers star Joe Aribo missed out on what was the Super Eagles’ final Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier through illness, but Balogun started at centre-back at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, as the national team played a competitive fixture in the capital city for the first time in 20 years.
A victory was expected for Nigeria, given that they are 107 places above Lesotho in the FIFA World Rankings and had triumphed 4-2 in the reverse fixture way back in November 2019, and they delivered.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen put the hosts in front in the 23rd minute and second-half strikes from Oghenekaro Etebo and Paul Onuachu completed a 3-0 triumph.
Balogun looked a little nervy early on but recovered to deliver a strong showing and was unlucky not to score in the closing stages, with a header cleared off the line.
With 6.5, the Gers star received the highest Goal.com rating of all the Nigeria defenders and one of the highest in the XI.
The Super Eagles had already qualified for AFCON 2022, but the comfortable win ensured they completed their campaign unbeaten, topping Group L and taking 14 points from their six matches.
After the game, Balogun celebrated on his Instagram story.
“Great finish to a successful campaign and a perfect start to our return to Lagos – Thank you Naija,” he wrote as a caption for a team photo, alongside Nigeria flag and eagle emojis.
Balogun will now return to Rangers and it’s expected that an announcement will then be made regarding a new deal for the 32-year-old.
The Scottish Sun reported earlier this week that he had recently triggered a one-year extension with his 23rd start of the season against Slavia Prague, but that is yet to be confirmed by the club.
He has made 28 Gers appearances in total since arriving on a free transfer in July and is likely to feature in the Scottish Cup Third Round clash against Cove Rangers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Rangers are reportedly scouting a 27-goal striker with a view to a potential summer swoop.
