6th March, 2014
Leon Balogun, who made his Nigerian debut on Wednesday during the Mexico friendly at Atlanta in the United Sattes, will undergo surgery when he returns to his Germany base this weekend.
The defender who suffered a foot fracture in the goalless tie, plays for Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany.
A statement issued on Thursday by Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles’ Media Officer, quoted the Nigerian team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, as saying surgery was the best option open to Balogun.
The statement quoted Gyaran as saying the surgery will rule Balogun out for up to eight weeks.
“That may give him enough time to quickly bounce back and rejoin the national team ahead of preparations for the 2014 World Cup in June, if invited,’’ it quoted Gyaran as saying.
The statement also quoted him (Gyaran) as saying Balogun might take up to four months to return to action if the surgery was not carried out.
Balogun was involved in a horrific fall with a Mexican striker midway into the second half of the match.
The right full back had hit his legs against objects in the Mexican technical area, forcing the Nigerian bench to replace him.
Balogun was quoted in the statement as saying that it was painful he copped the injury.
He had however added that he had no regrets making the decision to play for Nigeria.
“I am a Nigerian. My father is from Ijebu-Ode and my mother is half-Italian and half-German, so I chose to play for my fatherland and I am enjoying it so far.
“The only thing at the moment is that I don’t understand Pidgin English, which many speak in the team’s camp. But I will soon catch up, because I like the atmosphere in the Eagles camp. I’m happy the way I was received in the team as if I have been with them for a very long time.
“Meanwhile, I never met any of them before now.
“I pray my injury heals on time so that I can return to playing football for my club and country,’’ the statement quoted Balogun as saying.