LLeon Balogun’s days in the Super Eagles appear numbered after the Brighton and Hove Albion defender left the team’s camp few hours to Tuesday’s international friendly encounter against Ukraine in Dnipro, Completesports.com reports.
Completesports.com checks revealed that Balogun opted to return to his base in England claiming he had an injury after he discovered he was not among the starters for the clash at the Dnipro Arena.
His wish was granted by head coach of the side, Gernot Rohr and he was subsequently excluded from the matchday squad.
Rohr opted for a centre-back pairing of Semi Ajayi who have played every minutes of West Brom’s Sky Bet Championship matches this season and William Troost-Ekong for the game.
Leon Balogun (r) with Alex Iwobi, Semi Ajayi and Maduka Okoye in Dnipro, Ukraine.
Balogun is yet to make an appearance for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League this season.
Last season, he made eight league appearances for the Seagulls following his arrival at the club after winding his contract at German club, FSV Mainz and his lack of playing time must have contributed to his present status at the national team level.
The 31-year-old was particularly unhappy after losing his place to Leganes of Spain defender, Kenneth Omeruo at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
He cut a disconsolate figure for most of the competition in Egypt as he started only two of Super Eagles’ seven games at AFCON 2019.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
Club or no club balogun still remains the best eagles defender take it from me. Balogun experience in bundesliga is not to be compair to a championship player. He also performed verry well in the world cup he should always be giving that chance expecially when omeruo is not there. These artitude will push him to retire and nigeria will regret it. I see balogun as an italian tipical defender he is so experienced more than ekong and omeruo not to talk of ajayi. I like ajayi as a midfielder not defender i think he will offer more in the middle.
Are you suggesting when a player is consistently ignored in his club side and match rusty he should just come to eagles and pick a shirt without any competition. Awaziem was benched too for not playing regular football in his club side. With Rohr that era when bench warmers dominate national team has gone. We are not regretting it if he decides to retire after all he’s not getting younger we need young players for the future.
Another lame and destructive report from a lazy reporter. Balogun remains the best among current defenders in SE. He always gives his best whenever he dorns the green and white Jersey. You can take that to the bank.
Super Balogun, loads of respect for this quality defender. Not taking anything from Ekong, Omeruo, Ajayi, Balogun has better quality. Not breaking into Brighton first team is all down to many other things aside football. I trust to trample upon all of these soon. Forever a fan I am for I know quality when I see one.
GBAM! Balogun is a quality defender. I really hope he leaves B&H by the January transfer window. We need him to get back up to the form we know he is capable of.
Hey, Bro/Sis Can you let us know the non-football related reason that leads to him been benched in his Club? cos you guys keep saying this, I don’t know why they gonna buy him and put him on the bench because of something else apart from his form or performance, there are other blacks and non-British players in the team so what are we talking about?
I’m In love with these guys
Omeruo to partner Balogun remains the best ekong is overated.
I just love the way Rohr picks his team on merit not about past glory. Football is a lot about what you can do now not about what had done in the past. This would spur Balogun to double his effort in breaking into B&H team. It is all about performance which increases competitiveness. Also note that Balogun is not getting younger so the coach is got to think about the future.
Rohr should be careful with Balogun. He is the best quality defender we have in the super eagles any day any time. In the absence of Omorou I expect Rohr to per Balogun with Ekong while Ajayi should have come up as a substitute in the second half.
Balogun is super…. Cool,calm and calculated.
He’s the best we have.