Leon Balogun Hopeful Of Super Eagles Call-up Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has expressed his readiness to return to the men’s senior national team if given an invitation.

The 36-year-old center-back noted that he has been fit and active after recovering from an injury layoff that kept him out between November 2023 and March 2024.

Balogun clarified that he has not retired from international football. He also disclosed that he received invitations during his recovery period but informed the football authorities of his inability to play due to fitness issues.

The defender shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Brila.net:

“It’s not that I’ve not accepted an invitation ever.

“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.

“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 last played for the Super Eagles in their emphatic 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe during a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Agadir, Morocco.

The experienced defender, has 46 caps for Nigeria and previously represented the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles secured a third-place finish.

He remains hopeful of adding to his tally under new Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle if called up.

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