World Cup heartbreak for three Rangers players as Jollof rice derby decided on away goals

Rangers players Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun will not be playing at the World Cup later this year after Nigeria were knocked out at the final play-off phase by Ghana.

Nigeria will not be at the World Cup later this year.

The fiercely-contested rivalry between the duo – the match is known as the Jollof derby due to the rice dish the two neighbours produce – was on a knife edge after the first leg was a goalless affair in Accra.

Nigeria were the favourites to progress in front of a sold-out MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, but the Super Eagles found it hard to break down the Black Stars on home soil.

Bassey was handed his first start for his country in defence alongside his Ibrox club-mate Balogun, while Aribo was deployed as a No 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, it was the Ghanaians who opened the scoring first, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey netting after just ten minutes.

Nigeria responded strongly and were awarded a penalty on 22 minutes, which was converted by William Troost-Ekong.

The hosts’ Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside later in the half and despite piling on pressure for much of the second half, Nigeria fell short and it is Ghana who will be at the finals in Qatar by virtue of away goals following the 1-1 draw in the Nigerian capital.