Rangers Not Releasing Aribo, Balogun Till Jan. 2

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Duro Ikhazuagbe

As Super Eagles camp for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is scheduled to open on December 28 in Uyo, Scottish champions Rangers have insisted that Nigeria’s duo of Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo will not be released to join their teammates until after January 2, 2022. Rangers also have another Nigerian, Calvin Bassey in their fold.

Manager of the Scottish team, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, warned yesterday that any of his players invited for the African football showpiece must honour the club’s Old Firm Derby against Celtic on January 2.

Any players featuring at the Africa Cup of Nations will be here for the Old Firm match before being released,” Bronckhorst insisted yesterday.

Aribo started from the bench in the 64th minute while Balogun was not dressed for the game as Rangers extended their lead at the Scottish Premiership summit with their eighth consecutive league win after edging out a Covid-hit Dundee United.

The depleted visitors, who had four teenagers in their line-up, held firm for more than 70 minutes before captain James Tavernier slammed in a penalty.

The result stretches Rangers’ advantage to seven points, but League Cup finalists Celtic have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles caretaker coach, Austin Eguavoen, has expressed happiness at the prospect of having injured Victor Osimhen in the Nigerian squad for the AFCON.

Osimhen has resumed training with Napoli after surgery for facial fractures and could now make remarkable return to action much earlier than predicted.

“Firstly, we hope that he is recovered, that he fully recovered from his injury and that the club will allow him to join the team,”

“However, if this does not happen, I am sure that Victor would be cheering. for the success of the team,” observed Eguavoen fondly called Cerezo.

He admitted that the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis were options to reinforce the three-time African champions.

“We also have other players like (Taiwo) Awoniyi and (Emmanuel) Dennis”

Super Eagles will battle Egypt in their opening group game on January 11.