Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has blasted British authorities for depriving him of his Rangers stars for one their upcoming World Cup qualifiers
Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo won’t be available to the Super Eagles for the clash against Cape Verde despite being called up by Rohr.
Balogan starred as the Gers beat Celtic on Sunday in the first Premiership Old Firm fixture of the season, turning in a man of the Match performance at right back.
He and Aribo can play in Nigeria’s first game against Liberia, but cannot travel for the second fixture due to Cape Verde being on the UK’s red list for travel.
No UK-based players are being permitted to travel to countries on the list for their nations’ fixtures.
And Rohr has hit out at what he sees as an unfair rule change after dispensation was given for Euro 2020 games.
He said: "It's difficult to understand why England, for example, were allowed exemptions for the Euros, but the UK won't for these World Cup games.
"They were able to change everything at the Euros when England hosted it,
but they can't do anything here for the World Cup players.
"It's extremely important for every country and decisions like this tarnish the competition.
"We are preparing the team as best as possible, but we will not have some of our best players.
"All our midfielders will not be there. Our central defence also will not be there. So it will not be easy against a very difficult team like Cape Verde."
