Rangers pair set up date with AFCON destiny after £33m Ibrox contribution.
Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo, both former Rangers, are celebrating Nigeria’s qualification for the AFCON Final following an exciting victory over South Africa.
Both players took part in an intriguing semi-final match, which Nigeria ultimately won on penalty kicks.
William Troost-Ekong gave Nigeria the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, before Teboho Mokoena did the same for South Africa in the 90th minute.
The Bafana Bafana were down to ten men in extra time after Grant Kekana was sent off, but the Super Eagles won on a stunning night in the Ivory Coast.
Calvin Bassey & Joe Aribo reach AFCON Final with Nigeria
Calvin Bassey, who now plays for Fulham in the Premier League, played the entire game for Nigeria to reach their first final since 2013, when they won the AFCON championship in South Africa.
Joe Aribo, who is still with Southampton south of the border, came on as a substitute in extra time, but neither player took a penalty kick for the country on a historic night.
Both ex-Rangers players aim to participate in the AFCON Final on Sunday against tournament hosts Ivory Coast.
The Ivorians advanced to the final after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0, with Sebastian Haller scoring the winning goal.
Rangers duo left big impression at Ibrox
Rangers have had a link to Nigerian football in recent seasons, with Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo making their Super Eagles debuts while at Ibrox. Gers veteran Leon Balogun is also a Nigerian international, though he was not included in the nation’s squad for this year’s AFCON.
Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo left Rangers for Ajax and Southampton for a total of £23 million and £10 million, respectively, and are still highly valued in Glasgow.
Ibrox fans will be cheering for the two as they attempt to make history at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé in Abidjan this weekend.
However, there will be one player in the Ibrox camp who supports the opposing team.
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