Next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has had Ranger sweating over when they could lose Nigerian trio Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey – but after a new report claimed the competition could be scrapped, Gers fans on Twitter are delighted that the Super Eagles trio may not have to travel to AFCON.
The Light Blues are currently waiting to discover if they will be without the trio for the Old Firm at new year as they prepare for the trip across Glasgow to take on Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic for the second time this season.
However, with reports now claiming AFCON could be off, Rangers fans are buzzing at the prospect of having all three available when they head to Celtic Park looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership.
Just to further complicate things for Rangers, the Nigerian FA sacked Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr after he created a “toxic environment” in the Nigeria camp.
Rohr confirmed last month that Rangers had been in contact with the Nigerians over delaying the departure of the Ibrox trio, saying: “We need a good preparation, we need the players at least ten days before, but like you know in the UK, they play.
“Somebody called me from Glasgow already. They have the derby Celtic v Rangers on the second day of January and asked if we can let the players play.”
Having already rescheduled the competition once, AFCON is due to take place in Cameroon between Sunday, January 9 and Sunday, February 6 – with FIFA rules meaning players must be released by their clubs by December 27.
The Old Firm game is Rangers’ last before the winter break sees three weeks without any games and the cancellation of AFCON would no doubt be welcomed by Gers boss Gio van Bronckhorst.
Rangers supporters are definitely happy with the possibility and took to Twitter as rumours swept across social media.
Here are some of the comments from Rangers fans as the Super Eagles trio wait to find out if AFCON will go ahead:
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
