He's still got it: Abandoned defender makes case for Super Eagles recall under Chelle with towering display

Scottish giants Rangers secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Aberdeen, with Super Eagles players Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers playing decisive roles in the match.

Pulse Sports Nigeria reports that this win was Rangers' second consecutive victory in the Premiership, as they continue their chase of runaway leaders Celtic on Wednesday.

Leon Balogun, a 36-year-old defender overlooked by the Super Eagles since 2023, emerged as the standout performer after coming off the bench in the 76th minute.

With Rangers already leading 1-0, Balogun extended their advantage by scoring in added time with a towering header.

He then assisted fellow Nigerian and substitute Cyriel Dessers, who netted his seventh league goal of the season to wrap up the commanding 3-0 win for the Gers.

The match against Aberdeen was Balogun’s 13th of the season in the league and 18th across competitions for the Scottish side.

This impressive display serves as a clear message to Nigeria's new head coach Eric Chelle, who recently took over amidst rising expectations to rejuvenate Nigeria's World Cup aspirations.

As Chelle prepares for his plans for the Super Eagles ahead of international football in March, performances like those of Balogun and Dessers highlight the potential talent available to him as he looks to build his team.

Both players' contributions not only helped secure a crucial win for Rangers but also showed their readiness to reclaim their places in the national team as Nigeria aims to bounce back in World Cup qualifying matches

Balogun has in the past formed a formidable partnership with Super Eagles hero at the AFCON 2023, William Troost-Ekong, with both players affectionately known as the ‘Oyinbo Wall’.