Leon Balogun: QPR Defender Could Miss Nigeria’s Coming AFCON Qualifiers

Leon Balogun: QPR Defender Could Miss Nigeria’s Coming AFCON Qualifiers

Ibitoye Shittu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:25 PM

Nigerian defender Leon Balogun could miss the Super Eagles' coming African Cup of Nations qualifiers in March due to injury problems the 34-year-old is still nursing.

Following their failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, players and coaching crew of the Super Eagles have now turned their attention to AFCON qualifiers.

At the last edition of the AFCON in Cameroon, Nigeria did well in the group stages before they were sent out by Tunisia in the round of 16.

Leon Balogun, QPR, Super Eagles, NFF
Leon Balogun: QPR defender could miss Nigeria's coming AFCON qualifiers. Photo by Fran Santiago
Source: Getty Images

Balogun who plays for Queens Park Rangers has been injured since November 8 in a game against Huddersfield.

What is the latest development?

According to the report on Pulse, Balogun's three-month layoff could be extended beyond March which means he would miss the double header against Guinea-Bissau.

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There are also concerns from QPR chiefs to let Balogun leave after the expiration of his contract at the end of the season.

Eze emerges as player with most dribbles

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how Nigerian-eligible Eberechi Eze emerged as the player with the highest number of dribbles so far this season in the Premier League, which is a brilliant record.

The attacking midfielder has featured in 21 league games this term for Crystal Palace and has registered 33 dribbles in the process.

Out of the 21 games Eze has played this term in the English top flight, he started 19 and came on as a substitute in two games.

Eze has 546 completed passes in the Premier League, 38 shots and an expected goal rate of 2.90.

Meanwhile, Palace are currently occupying 12th position on the Premier League table with 24 points after 21 games.

Sports Brief also reported how people in charge of the United States football have been urged to hijack Folarin Balogun from Nigeria and England by giving him invitation into the national team.

This is as a result of Balogun's impressive performances so far this season in the French Ligue 1 where he has scored 14 goals for Reims and he is ahead the likes of Mbappe, Messi and Neymar.

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Ibitoye Shittu
Editor- Local Desk
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NigeriaNigeria Football Federation (NFF)