Brighton Hove Albion defender, Leon Balogun has disclosed that he is hoping to play a ‘significant role’ with the Super Eagles at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt but admits it means he will have to work harder in order to keep his place in the squad.
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf, Darmstadt and SV Mainz of Germany stopper acknowledged that keeping his place in the Eagles’ starting line-up depends largely on his form with his club in the English Premier League.
However, with the Germany-born stopper having lost his place at The Seagulls, where he is currently their third-rate in central defence, Balogun knows he will first have to cement a spot with his club’s main team to stand any chance of being ‘significant’ with the Eagles at Egypt 2019.
With that in mind, a self-induced wake-up call is coming from Balogun, who used to be one half of Nigeria’s renowned ‘Oyibo wall’ of two mulatto central defenders, alongside Holland-born William Troost-Ekong.
Troost-Ekong, who continues excelling with Udinese in the Italian Serie A, has found a new rhythm playing in the Eagles’ back-four alongside Kenneth Omeruo, who is equally on top form at Leganes of Spain.
Omeruo’s top form has combined with Balogun’s struggles at club level to send the once preferred ‘Oyibo partner’ out of the Eagles’ starting 11, such that Brighton defender admits he must fight back to regain his spot.
Alarmingly, the 30-year-old Balogun has only four appearances since December, due to injuries, fitness issues and competition for a spot in the squad.
This past weekend, Balogun was not in Brighton’s squad that lost 1-0 to Southampton, which coincided with his declaration that the Nations Cup is already high on his mind.
Balogun said: “I really hope to play a significant role in my first Nations Cup for Nigeria, but first I want to keep working hard to make a strong case for regular games at Brighton.
“What is important is to put me in the right place. If I am needed anytime to start a game or come in, I’ll be ready for that. It’s all I can do.”
