Leon Balogun is delighted to have returned to the starting line-up of the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s international friendly win over the Pharaohs of Egypt,Completesports.com reports.
The Brighton and Hove Albion defender was an unused substitute for the Super Eagles in last Friday’s 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifying match against Seychelles but made his 26th international appearance for the team in their friendly game against Egypt.
Paul Onuachu grabbed the solitary goal for the Super Eagles after eight seconds for their 1-0 win.
The 30-year-old who is yet to feature for the Seagulls in the Premier League this year showed no signs of rustiness as he made timely interceptions on different occasions during the win over Egypt.
“It’s been the longest time not playing, even longer not wearing the 🇳🇬. Happy to come back with a win – thank you Asaba,” Balogun wrote on his Instagram page.
Balogun has made eight appearances in the Premier League this season (ten in all competitions) for Brighton and has scored once. He last featured for his club three months ago in their 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
By Johnny Edward
14 Comments
Balogun was the reason we didn’t concede against Egypt.His timely interceptions was the reason we won.
I think his reading of the game is amazing. For his performances last night he deserves to be on the first eleven.
I wonder why he is not playing at his club when he is so good. Its seems he is better than omeruo and Ekong combined.
@Greenturf, if it was Omeruo, 1 or 2 of those half chances by Egypt would have been a goal. Omeruo is 80% for goals Nigeria conceded, whether it was Tau sending him a dummy in the last SA match or the Zambian equalizer in Lusaka or Messi getting the better of him at the World Cup. It’s almost always through him as the weak link at the back. Awaziem is another inexperienced stopper.
The pair of Balogun and Ekong always gives confidence, always helping to shut down the other’s mistake well. Add Aina (not Abdullahi) to the mix and it’s all good. These days, Collins is starting to get suspicious. Perhaps Kalu can be converted as wing back to also help going forward.
*80% responsible for goals conceded…
Same here I feel more assured with the Oyinbo wall combo…these has been the most formidable centre back pairing we have had in a long while…and amongst these crop of defenders no one brings stability to our defence more than Balogun
Well you are right from a perspective but wrong from another perspective. Note also that Balogun caused Libyas goal against us in that away match. Rohr also confirmed that he didnt do well against same Libya in Uyo. Add that to the fact that till today he cant displace Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk at Brighton. Now consider the fact that Omeruo is the best defender Leganes has at the moment and he has been pretty consistent. That is not to say you are not right about his flops against SA, Zambia and Messi. I was particularly disappointed that Percy Tau could make such a mess of a superstar like Omeruo. However I think that Balogun was able to play well yesterday cos he has seen that Omeruo is about to take his place and that the coach is beginning to look more in Omeruos direction. That is why healthy competition in the team is good. It brings the best out of every player. When you know that somebody is eagerly waiting at the sidelines waiting for u to make a mistake and take your place, you tend to double up your hustle. Lets pray such healthy competition will grow in all departments of the team so that the team can get stronger and more lethal.
Kel, what of Balogun’s poor starting position in the build up to Aguero’s goal in the pre-world Cup friendly?
Where was Balogun when Croatia scored their first goal at the World Cup?
Balogun’s poor starting position and apparent lack of pace was also exposed by Angel Di Maria in the World Cup match against Argentina which earned him a linient yellow card when a red card might not have been out of place.
He was even beaten for height recently against Libya.
In that goal the Percy Tau scored, why was Balogun stationary like a lamp post? If he had tracked the scorer after Omeruo was beaten, he could have limited South Africa’s options.
Omeruo’s presence at the back gives me confidence o!
He shut out Didier Drogba in 2013 and he provided the assist for Musa’s sensational second goal against Iceland.
Balogun is more style than substance hence the reason he is bench-warming in England.
You’ve made good points, deo. For a defender, Balogun’s pace is a problem; and in the EPL it’s all about running and running for 90 minutes.
But look at it this way too, Omeruo has not been able to force his way to the English league either, over how many years after Emenalo signed him for Chelsea. Who will he bench?
Yes, Omeruo can sometimes be a workaholic, and Balogun sometimes tires out easily, but the latter is supremely experienced and good that dispossesing strikers or making last minute blocks.
Omeruo was on the bench at championship side Middlesbrough.
To be candid Balogun and Ekong are the best defence pairings we have at the moment.
Apparently,our coaches should scout for more European born defenders this guys can defend with discipline our bane in Africa is lose of concentration we cannot keep it going for ninety minutes.
@kei, your call on Omeruo is on the money,Is timing and recovery iare suspect,but with time I think he would be a fine defender.Balogun is more technical because he can read the game better, most African defenders are always quilty of ball watching and lack of concentration. God bless Uche Okechukwu one the best defender to come out of Africa.
If you guys can read on the lines you should know Aina Ola is gradually leaving Nigeria, Abdullahi right back can’t even play yet Rohr keep inviting him, please let’s use our best. Oyinbo wall is the best also.
Abdullahi has won man of the match two times now for the super eagles. And you say he cant play? The only problem i saw yesterday was poor crosses. But as for being a good defender, Abdullahi is not just good, he is super.
L didn’t see much of Abdullahi contributions in the match. Balogun was solid and consistent through out the match. Even the Egyptian coach will agree with idea that Balogun was the sole reason why Nigeria never concede throughout the game. l am sure, when Aina is available, Abdullahi will not have a show.
Thank you boss…when we are even talking about the speed, Balogun has it more than Omeruo. Go back and watch the match against Argentina again. Seychelles only has two shots on goal In Which one was converted. This shows how little the pressure was on Omeruo. I can never forget him against Rantie. U will even notice that rest of mind on Ekong whenever Balogun plays…I wish he pairs Awaziem too to build his confidence as for Shehu, those two games, against Seychelles and Egypt to me really exposed Shehu because he had enough opportunity to show his abilities when attacking I imagined he was Aina or Ebuehi. Shehu is the best defensively but even the great Pele said…in football, Attack is the best form of defence. I prefer Aina, Ebuehi and Iorfa type of right backs and not just a defender with defensive quality alone.