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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Adam Thomas

Joe Aribo handed Nigeria boost as Rangers star considered for African Cup of Nations qualifier call-up

Joe Aribo is being considered by Nigerian football's hierarchy for a national team call up for their upcoming qualifiers.

The Rangers winger, who is English-born but would qualify through his Nigerian parents,  has previously spoken about his desire to play international football for the Super Eagles, having received no England youth or senior call-ups.

Nigeria have a friendly coming up next month against Ukraine on September 10, before they take on Togo in the African Nations Championship 2020 qualifier, with the first leg taking place on September 20 and the second leg on 18 October, with the winner qualifying for the competition.

But the big competition, the African Cup of Nations 2021's qualifying stage begins in November this year, with Nigeria drawn in Group L, and are up against Benin, Sierra Leone and Lesotho.

Manager Gernot Rohr has cast his net far and wide previously for international talent since he became the national team coach in 2016.

Nigeria will be looking to build on their third place finish in the 2018 competition as they look to qualify for 2021 which takes place in Cameroon.

English Premier League players Brighton's Leon Balogun, Everton's Alex Iwobi, Stoke City's Oghenekaro Etebo and and Leicester City's William Ndidi have been named in the national team set up in recent times, with stars being called up from across Europe, China and beyond recently.

Aribo , who moved to Ibrox this summer on a free transfer after leaving Charlton Athletic, has settled in quickly at the Premiership side, making an instant impact in the league and in the Europa League qualifiers, scoring three goals in his first seven games.

(Rangers FC/Press Association Images)

And according to the technical director for the Nigerian Football Federation Bitrus Bewarang, he is a name being considered for a call-up.

He told All Nigeria Soccer : ''I will send his name and the club he's playing for to Gernot Rohr.

''Every Nigerian player is a potential national team player if they are doing well in their clubs. 

''What we require is that let the coaches spread their tentacles to such clubs and watch such players.''

Aribo has previously stated his desire to play for the Super Eagles earlier this year, but said he hadn't been approached by anyone from the Nigeria Football Federation earlier this summer.

He added: ''I am definitely open to playing for Nigeria, I'd be happy to play.

''There has been no contact with the Nigeria Football Federation. I'll honour the invitation if I get a call-up.''

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