By Daily Sports on October 14, 2021
Leon Balogun insists that the Super Eagles are aware of the heartbreak they would cause Nigerians if they miss the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
Although Nigeria lead Group C presently with nine points after four matches, they were shocked by the Central African Republic last Thursday with a 1-0 loss in Lagos.
The Wild Beasts grabbed a memorable win courtesy of a 90th-minute strike from Karl Namnganda.
With games against Cape Verde and Liberia still to come in November and the play-off round among the 10 group leaders next year, Balogun disclosed that Gernot Rohr’s side understand the task ahead of them as Nigeria aim to make their seventh appearance in the global showpiece in November 2022.
"If it is important for you as a fan who is not on the pitch, but who is dreaming of seeing us play there, what do you think it means for us who are involved on the pitch," Balogun told ESPN.
"You get the chance to play and it gets stolen away from you. So you can imagine your pain [as a fan] is the pain we feel, but our pain is your pain times a hundred probably.
"You are probably still going to get opportunities to go to the World Cup but we are going to be sidelined and watch it on TV, and that's what hurts. So we understand [what it means]."
The Rangers centre-back also reiterated his commitment to the Super Eagles after his lacklustre defending cost them a 1-0 loss at the Teslim Balogun Stadium a week ago.
Balogun made up for the error with the opening goal in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic on Sunday after slotting home a cross from Chidozie Awaziem in the 29th minute.
"You've seen me play for a few years now. And you know that when I step onto the pitch I always give 100% and I am always passionate,” he added.
"Whether I am having a good performance or a bad performance, you can never actually criticize me for not trying. That is what I always give, that is the least I can do." (Goal)
•PHOTO: Super Eagles star Leon Balogun
Source Daily Sports
Posted October 14, 2021
You may also like...
Sit-At-Home: Anambra Completely shutdown as residents celebrate 2025...
Liverpool Blow Away Manchester United To Boost Champions...
Oblak Wants Atletico Exit, Favours Manchester United
Ikorodu United draw in Abeokuta, as 3SC massacre...
Enter Gov. Adeleke, As Nigerians Await Verdict From...
Benzema Strikes Late To Deny Atletico Derby Victory...

AFN VP pledges N1.6m reward for C’wealth Games trials
Joshua warns Prenga ahead July 25 bout
Nigeria’s World Cup absence a big miss – Terry
NOC To Formally Launch Safeguarding Policy On June 16
Messi scores on injury return as Argentina beat Iceland in World Cup warm-up
Iwobi to join Yobo, Enyeama, Musa on 100 Nigeria caps
Omewa happy to open Falcons goal account
World Cup: Enyimba, Remo to benefit from FIFA’s $355m windfall
Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico
Omewa brace powers Falcons past Senegal
Joshua open to Itauma fight
NWFL Super Six: Edo Queens’ beat FC Robo 4-1
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,844 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,177 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,125 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,693 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,596 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,494 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,329 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,895 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,076 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,575 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,012 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,454 views)