'Unacceptable' - Outraged Rangers ace demands investigation into int'l developments

Leon Balogun has expressed his outrage at the treatment of the Nigeria squad after landing in Libya, with the Rangers defender calling for action to be taken.

The centre-back reacted via his Instagram stories on 13 October as the Super Eagles, who the 46-cap international is not with during the current international break, were seemingly locked in an airport after their flight was diverted on the way to their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong detailed the experience via X in the early hours of 14 October, where he said the group had already been left in the airport for over 12 hours without food or water and were no longer willing to proceed to the match.

In further updates through the day he indicated that after being “held hostage” their plane was now being fuelled to leave for Nigeria, while according to BBC Sport (14 October) the Libyan Football Federation has said they are “deeply concerned” by the situation but denied it was deliberate.

Balogun slammed what had happened and wants the Confederation of African Football to get to the bottom of it, directing his post at the governing body, saying: “Surely you’re going to investigate thoroughly and take action, right?

“Whoever is responsible for this needs to be held accountable. This is unacceptable!!”

Rangers ace fury at Nigerian squad’s treatment

There surely will need to be an investigation into the circumstances surrounding an international squad allegedly being locked in an abandoned airport overnight after a sudden rerouting.

Former Ibrox star Calvin Bassey is among the squad who were pictured attempting to sleep on chairs overnight, and if Troost-Ekong’s account of the shock developments is accurate it is little surprise the players don’t feel safe to continue onto the fixture due to be held on 15 October.

Balogun, 36, was last capped in 2022 and has only featured sparingly for Philippe Clement this term after signing a one-year extension in the summer.

Despite arguably being one of the top options still he has made just five appearances so far, starting twice, as his age looks to be working against him.

John Souttar has seemingly now established himself as the number one centre-back at Ibrox since Connor Goldson’s summer exit, and has an imminent contract extension on the way [Daily Record, 1 October].

New signing Robin Propper has yet to convince since he was signed from FC Twente but Clement looks to have settled on the Dutchman alongside the Scotland international as his preferred starting pair.

In other Rangers news, a new investor appointment has been called for after the Light Blues secured a best-in-Scotland financial boost.

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