Leon Balogun netted his second Uefa Europa League goal of the season with a header in a 3-0 victory over Red Star Belgrade.
After first-half goals from Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos, the Nigeria centre-back met James Tavernier’s corner-kick with a header in the 51st minute, securing a crucial first-leg advantage for the Scottish giants.
Balogun now has two goals in six Europa League games, including his first goal against Brondby in October.
In addition to scoring the goal, the Super Eagles player was a rock in defense for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, helping them keep a clean sheet.
Rangers started with Balogun, Calvin Bassey, and Joe Aribo, but only Aribo was replaced in the 75th minute by Zambian Fashion Sakala.
Balogun pondered on his goal at the end of the game, admitting it was a strong header.
“I thought it was coming together nicely.” “When the goalie got there, I was a little scared, but I believe the header was just a little too forceful,” he told Glasgow Times.
“It was a nice ball contact and a nice header.”
Leon Balogun, along with his fellow countrymen Bassey and Aribo, will be trying to assist Rangers extend their 10-game unbeaten run in all categories when they travel to Dundee United for a Scottish Cup match on Sunday.
Balogun included in squad against Ghana
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released a statement last week Friday announcing Leon Balogun’s inclusion in the provisional list.
Ighalo and Dennis are also back with the Eagles after failing to make the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon despite being on the final list.
For the crucial match against the Black Stars, Ahmed Musa, William Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, and Kelechi Iheanacho have been invited.
The team’s training camp is set to begin on March 21, with a final 24-man roster for the match to be announced at a later date.
Nigeria will face the Black Stars in Cape Coast on March 25 before facing them again in Abuja on March 29 at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
The winner of the tie will be one of five African representatives at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
