Leon Balogun says the Super Eagles have put behind them their failure to secure a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, reports Completesports.com.
The Super Eagles lost out on away goal rule to eternal rivals, the Black Stars of Ghana in the playoff round.
That’s behind us now. I played for my club (Rangers) four days after the game against Ghana, so it’s football. It goes on. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself,” Balogun told reporters.
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“Obviously it hurts, but you have to move on. Like they say, time heals old wound. You have to move on because the next match is always around the corner.”
Balogun and his teammates have started a new era under Portuguese Jose Peseiro.
The centre-back reflects on what life is under the new manager.
“It’s exciting to be here, work under a new manager. To see what he comes up with. The fresh air he brings to the team,”he added.
‘I have only been here for two days, so it is a bit too early to make any kind of assessment.
“He is been nice, very friendly. He is trying to get used to what Nigeria is about.”
The Super Eagles were held to a 4-4 draw by Sierra Leone the last time both teams met in November 2020.
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Balogun is confident things will be different this time around.
“That’s in the past, there is no point revisiting that. The lesson is not to underestimate any opponent,”he added.
“Sure they will come with a different team, but we will do our best to win the game.”
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COMMENTS
We did not qualify for the World cup yet the principal actors are still being recycled like Musa. Do we ever learn? When will we learn? A non playing captain or Motivational speaker? Instead of wasting money on his return flight ticket simply because he is a motivational speaker, why not spend that on Basket mouth or any motivational comedian each time the team gathers to motivate them. Plenty selfies, laughter will be the other of the day in camp. Nuf said
I almost lost interest in a lot article of late including this one. I don’t even watch the nonsense matches of late. Make them stop this news about eagles until after the world cup and gives more news on the female and junior teams. I heard Nigeria U17 are going to Cape Coast to continue from where our U20 stopped.
Why are people keeps bothering themselves about Musa so much? Is he not a citizen of Nigeria? I can’t get it. Why can’t we just live that choice for the new coach to worry about. This is why Nigeria is where it is today. Some people thinks that they know better than the coach as who to call instead of Musa and all that bulls. Thats how they ran Oga Rohr out of town and with over two hundred million Nigerians now have to watch Ghana do their thing in Qatar with huge loss of over 20 million dollars that should have come to Nigeria. It was ‘Our own’ that eventually led us to fire Oga Rohr in error. I am happy that Musa is tougher than you haters out there. Only the New Nigerian Oga coach that can stop him and not you Musa haters.
Are you a Nigerian?If you are should understand things aren’t done on merit in that country otherwise we won’t bother about Musa.We knows and it’s glaring he has power from above hence his continues invitation despite not adding anything to the team.
When you are part of a system marred by corruption and nepotism you have to stand up and fight for justice,you have to be a crusader for your people to get it right otherwise justice wouldn’t come on it’s own because it’s a corrupt system.
Musa is being forced on the coach that’s why we are standing up for the likes of Amoo and other young talented prospects Musa has selfishly taken their spots just to sit on the bench and occasionally comes in to play the last few minutes,run around,falling at the slightest contact,no force,no quality,no inspiration.
We will continue to fight against his invitation until he quits!this is not politics,it’s football the only thing that makes ordinary citizens happy we will continue to fight for a better and incorruptible super eagles,we will continue to fight for justice and merit!
Thanks @Greenturf, the man above you belongs to the category of Southern Nigerians who allowed them to sell the oil in their backyard, they bribed them with their own money and they in turn sold their land via Rugga, selfish contracts and appointments. The IRONY OF NIGERIA
Right on my friend, Musa Must Go!
My friend, if you know anything about football tell me which is the weakest part of Nigeria’s attack between left-wing, midfield, and right-wing?
How do we assess the weakest part of the attack? By the number of goals scored from that area of the pitch.
When was the last time Nigeria scored from the right-wing? A goal by Chukwueze in AFCON against a Sudan side ranked 132 by FIFA.
Before this game, when was the last time an assist or goal came from the right side? Against Central Africa republic an assist by Troost Ekong from the right to Osimhen.
Does Troost-Ekong play on the right? No.
From the last 10 goals scored by the Super Eagles how many have come from the right? Only the one scored by Chukwueze against Sudan. His next previous goal was against Sierra Leone (ranked 107 by FIFA) in a 4-4 match, an average of 2 goals in 20 matches.
How many assists have come from designated right-wingers in the last 10 matches? None.
So who and where are the Super Eagles right-wingers? Samuel Chukwueze and Ahmed Musa.
So why are these players not contributing? In Chukwueze’s defense, he has just come back from a long-term injury and is slow to find his form for both club and country.
What about Ahmad Musa? Musa’s last goal was a penalty against Liberia. He has provided no goals or assists in the last 20 matches.
Is Ahmad Musa not the captain? Yes, he is, but rather than commanding a starting place as most captains he deputizes on the right for Samuel Chukwueze.
That is strange, no? Yes, because of Musa’s lackadaisical attitude and team status, Chukwueze has become complacent as there is no competition for his position. Chukwueze has no incentive to perform.
What should be done? The right-wing needs a hungry young player with drive and aggression to incentivize Chukwueze.
Why is this not being done? Ahmad Musa has created a block on the position, that is not allowing younger hungrier right-wing players into the squad.
How so? Through ethnic politics and appeals to sentiment.
Surely players should be judged on performance? Well, this is Nigeria, politics and sentiment reign, nothing is judged objectively.
@Tristan God bless you for this inghtful post, this is what I expect to hear from those avalanche of sport journalists going up and down from one tv station to another in Lagos analysing rubbish.
To add to what you EXCELLENT PIECE the INVERTED WINGERS HAS DONE US MORE HARM THAN GOOD as a nation. It is not working. Bassey delivered what Musa could not do in over 20 matches.
@Tristan
Love this analysis. Reminds me of Ancient Greek rhetorics: insightful questions and answers.
Baffles me why Musa can’t leave the stage now that he still has some credibility. VM got it right. Left with his head high.
Welcome to the MMG club… Musa Must Go!!!
Thank you are a wise man
I can understand the argument and excuse of the super eagles of Nigeria. We all knew this is what Nigeria as a nation are desired to qualify for the world cup. But you know, iron cut iron. This time is fog the black stars . Sierra Leone is ready to face the super eagles, despite the superiority of Nigeria compared to Sierra Leone.
You sabi ny brother! Good analysis!