36-year-old Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun stated he is available for call up.
Rangers defender Leon Balogun has expressed his decision to return to contention for the Super Eagles, as he never announced international retirement.
The 36-year-old was once a guaranteed starter for the Nigerian national team. Alongside current on-pitch captain Troost Ekong, they formed a formidable partnership that was dubbed the “Oyinbo Wall,” the trusted pair for the 2018 World Cup.
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What Balogun said
While Balogun once enjoyed prominence in the national team setup, the 46-cap defender last represented the Super Eagles as a substitute in the 10-drubbing of Sao Tome and Principe in 2022.
Speaking in an interview with Brila, the former Brighton defender expressed his desire to make a return to the national team fold, stating he is very much available.
“It’s not that I’ve not accepted an invitation ever,” Balogun told Brilia. “Unfortunately, right before the World Cup break, I suffered an injury that was supposed to last a few weeks but didn’t go the way it was supposed to.
Leon Balogun wants a Super Eagles return. | IMAGO
“I just couldn’t come; I was not fit yet and after I got fit, then I relapsed but since then I haven’t had a lengthy injury spell.
“I have always been available. I’ve never said that I retired from international football, and I think the people who need to know are aware that I’m still very much willing and ambitious to represent the national team.”
Balogun would be open to make a similar return to the national team as his former defence partner Troost Ekong, who went from zero to hero.
The former Ajax defender explained that he was on the brink of announcing his international retirement, but last year, he led the Super Eagles to the AFCON silver medal.
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