Super Eagles star Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo are getting charged up for the World Cup qualifier fixtures against Liberia and Cape Verde as the duo played crucial roles as the Rangers defeated Celtic by a solitary goal in the Scottish Old Firm derby played at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday.
Both players were involved for the entire game as the hosts recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Prior to the meeting with the league champions, Celtic had not tasted defeat and they had scored 12 goals in their last two matches against Dundee and St Mirren respectively, conceding none in the process.
However, they were undone by Filip Helander’s second-half strike to suffer their first loss of the season.
In the third minute, the Gers threatened when Borna Barisic found Alfredo Morelo in the danger zone but the latter shot over the bar.
Aribo’s chance came in the 19th minute when he did well to get past several challenges. But a last-ditch effort by the opposing defender saved the Bhoys.
His compatriot Balogun was fantastic in defence clearing his line perfectly to ensure that his team maintain a clean slate at home.
Balogun, however, got into a great position three minutes after the break, but his inviting cross was cleared by the defenders.
His teammate Aribo also did well to create chances from the midfield in the 56th minute but the pass was intercepted. Also, Terem Moffi was also on fire for Lorient as he posted an impressive performance in a 2-2 draw with Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
The home side struck first in the 24th minute courtesy of a brilliant Jonathan Clauss free-kick, but the confident visitors responded three minutes later through Armand Laurienté.
That equaliser seemed to jolt Terem Moffi to life as moments later, the 22-year-old saw his left-footed shot from the centre of the box narrowly missed the target.
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Shortly after, Moffi directed another left footed shot from outside the box towards the bottom left corner, but the opposing goalkeeper provided a decent save.
But Lorient would not be denied as the Super Eagles forward supplied the ball for Thomas Monconduit to make it 2-1 to Les Merlus ten minutes before the halftime break while the visitors levelled up in the second half. It remains an impressive all-around performance for Moffi, who now has a goal and an assist in four Ligue 1 matches to his name this season.
The point gained at Lens is one more thing to celebrate for Moffi, who was named in Nigeria’s 30-man squad for the country’s World Cup qualifiers in September.
