Rangers boss provide fitness update on Aribo that will worry Nigeria fans ahead of Ghana clash

Published: March 11, 2022

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has provided a fitness update on Joe Aribo that will worry Super Eagles fans ahead of the national team's crucial 2022 World Cup playoff matches with Ghana later this month.

Against Red Star Belgrade in a Europa League tie on Thursday night, Aribo was walking a disciplinary tightrope after he was shown a yellow card on the half hour mark for a rough foul on Guelor Kanga and had to make way for Fashion Sakala, a Zambia international, with a quarter of an hour of normal time left.

The Dutch football tactician has confirmed that the Super Eagles number 10 picked up an injury during the game at Ibrox Stadium and is now rated as doubtful for Sunday's Scottish Cup clash with Dundee FC.

Aribo has established himself as a key member of interim boss Augustine Eguavoen's team, starting three of the four matches played by the Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and is one of five midfielders named on a 25-man roster for the upcoming matches with the Black Stars.

Providing a squad update, Van Bronckhorst told reporters at Friday's pre-match press conference : "Physically it was a tough match, we have some concerns after the game with John Lundstram, some problems with his ankle.

"And we had to take Aribo off as well so we are assessing them today and tomorrow to see if they are able to be involved on Sunday."

Former Lazio ace Eddy Onazi and Alanyaspor's Chidozie Awaziem are the players capable of playing as holding midfielders included in Nigeria's standby list for the 2022 World Cup playoff.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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