One aspect of the Super Eagles friendly game against Ukraine which went unnoticed is the non listing of Brighton and Hove Albion defender Leon Balogun among the substitutes for the game which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Balogun was among the early arrivals at the camp of the team ahead of the game but he was missing from the matchday squad with Chidozie Awaziem coming on for William Troost-Ekong when he went out injured and Semi Ajayi started in central defence with Ekong.
Owngoalnigeria.com exclusively gathered that the defender who took part in all of the training session ahead of the game told the coaches that he has picked up a minor injury and will like to return back to his club.
However the timing of his complain made many of the players to doubt his sincerity as his injury claim came after he wasn’t named in the starting lineup for the game. It was coach Gernot Rohr who told the players that Balogun has been allowed to fly back to England on the day of the match.
According to Rohr it’s for him to get proper medical treatment as he is expected to line up for Brighton when they play their next game in the cup in England, a statement which many find hard to believe judging by Balogun’s unhappiness over losing his spot in the team.
At the Africa Cup of Nations Kenneth Omeruo was preferred as partner to Ekong and with Omeruo absent Balogun was hoping he will get the nod to reignite his “Oyibo Wall” pairing with Ekong but Rohr decided to pick Ajayi which didn’t go down well with the German-Nigerian defender.
Due to his lack of games at English Premier League side Brighton, Balogun has dropped down the pecking order in the team as Rohr is keen on rewarding players who are regulars at their clubs ahead of the ones not getting game time.
Osas Mahawi
