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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Rangers stars Aribo, Balogun and Bassey miss out on Nigeria World Cup dream after Ghana heartbreak

The Rangers contingent in the Nigeria side failed to reach the World Cup as the Super Eagles crashed out in the play-off against Ghana.

Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo, and Leon Balogun were all handed starts in the crucial home leg following the goalless draw in Ghana.

Captain William Troost-Ekong dispatched a penalty to cancel out Thomas Partey's opener after a howler from keeper Francis Uzoho.

Rangers playmaker Aribo then slid the ball to Victor Osimhen, who beat the visiting defence but the goal was chalked out for offside.

It was Bassey's full debut for his country but he was hooked just before the full time whistle as he was replaced by striker Shehu Abdullahi as Nigeria chased a goal.

The result sparked an aftermath of high emotions with Rangers defender Balogun collapsing to the floor following the full-time whistle.

As the Ghana players walked over to the player, in what looked like an attempt to console the Rangers defender, Abdullahi appeared to take offence at the exchange.

He confronted the rival players and had to be separated by team-mates and officials.

Nigeria have reached six of the last seven World Cups but they much watch their rivals in action come the winter tournament this time around.

But from a Rangers perspective their trio did manage to make their way through the game unscathed, with the crucial top of the Premiership clash with Celtic to come on Sunday.

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