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Balogun: Is he a lost gem?

By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 18, 2023

World football body FIFA on Tuesday confirmed that in-form on-loan Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun had committed his international future to the United States, dumping Nigeria and England in the process.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents, Balogun was eligible to play for the Super Eagles, England, where he was raised and the US, his country of birth.

The 21-year-old, who is currently on loan at French club Reims from English giants Arsenal, had represented England at the U-21s level, but last November, the striker admitted he was yet to decide the country to represent at senior level.

“Because my parents are Nigerian, their first language is Yoruba. I have a lot of family in Nigeria. My mother also has family in New York and Atlanta, with whom we exchange regularly and who sometimes visit us in London. And London is my city, it’s where I grew up, where my friends are, and if people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m English. But yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures,” Balogun stated then.

However, six months after his statement, a FIFA spokesperson on Tuesday confirmed the player’s switch.

“The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved,” the world football body stated.

It sparked wild jubilations among USMNT fans, who are hoping to parade a lethal attack at the 2026 World Cup, which they co-host with Canada and Mexico.

Interim USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson said, “We are delighted that Folarin has chosen to represent the United States.

“Not only is he an extremely talented player, he’s also a good man who is going to add value to our team both on and off the field at a time when the team is continuing to improve. It’s clear that he values his U.S. roots and we can’t wait for him to come in and be a part of the team.”

A jubilant USMNT fan, T.K.O. KC said, “This is the best news I’ve heard as a USMNT fan and probably in my entire life. Welcome Balogun. We finally have a 9.”

Players are allowed to switch associations if they haven’t played a competitive match for a nation’s senior team and close followers of the forward this season had hoped Balogun would commit his international future to Nigeria to help solve the Super Eagles’ goalscoring jigsaw, as well as reduce the over-reliance on Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

But Tuesday’s decision to choose the USMNT ahead of the Super Eagles jolted many an Eagles faithful, following his heroics this season, where he has shone with Ligue 1 outfit Reims, scoring 19 goals in 34 games since joining on a season-long loan deal from the Gunners last summer.

He is fifth on the scorers chart in France, ahead of the likes of Argentine megastar Lionel Messi, who is 10th with 15 goals and 11th place Chilean Alexis Sanchez with 14 goals.

On current form, he is ahead of Eagles strikers Paul Onuachu, Cyriel Dessers, Terem Moffi, Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis, and ranks 11th across Europe’s big five leagues in terms of goals, ninth in shots (he has got one fewer effort than Erling Haaland) and second in expected goals.

“Losing him (Balogun) to the US is a minus to us and I think we’ve lost a gem. I don’t know who to blame for that,“ Atlanta ‘96 Olympic Games gold medallist, Abiodun Obafemi, told The PUNCH.

“We’ve been monitoring his progress for some time now and honestly we all wanted him to play for Nigeria. When I imagine him side by side with Osimhen and Moffi I think we should be rubbing shoulders with some of the big countries.”

Former Super Eagles left-back Ifeanyi Udeze believes the Eagles won’t miss the services of the emerging striker.

“I don’t think the Eagles will miss Balogun because we haven’t even felt his presence in the first place. This is football, he is a good player because I follow him. He had the option of playing for Nigeria, England or the US and he chose the Americans,” Udeze told The Punch.

“We wish him the best because he feels that is the best place for him. And we hope that our players click when they come to the national team because the majority of them are doing very well for their clubs in Europe. If they click, no one will think of Balogun.

“For me, it is worrisome when our players underperform for the country; we just need to find what the issue is and help them so that they can give their best while on national duty.”

Another Atlanta Olympic Games gold medallist Garba Lawal added, “I am not bothered whether we will miss him or not. I cannot access him; he’s made his choice. But I can speak for myself, I am a proud Nigerian and I never regretted playing for my country.

“Those saying the Eagles are struggling should know that football is all about ups and downs. Osimhen is the point man for Nigeria and Napoli and he helped them to break their 33-year trophy jinx.

“You cannot get it right all the time in football and we are meant to make mistakes as humans. I am expressing confidence in the players we have, their clubs signed them because they believed in them. It’s not easy to play in Europe and I know they are trying their best and I believe that they will all bounce back with the national team.”

Social media in Nigeria and the United States went into frenzy with fans arguing both for and against the player’s choice of international football.

A Nigerian Yimzy hit out at Balogun, saying he missed a chance to win a trophy at international level after his decision to go the way of the Yankees.

“Either way I don’t see him winning a trophy soon, Dude missed the chance to represent Nigeria and easily win the next AFCON. Good luck to him anyways.”

Reacting to Yimzy’s post, Stephen Chaconas tweeted, “Tells me know you know nothing about Nigeria in a tweet (Osimhen, Moffi, Boniface, Arokodare, and Orban). While with the USA, he will win CONCACAF trophies with USA, play in the next World Cup guaranteed, be loved by the fanbase and more importantly wanted by the staff/team.”

Dr. Rajpal Brar believes the youngster made the right choice.

“Smart decision. Will get plenty of playing time,” he wrote.

An American Besgrey, who wrote on Twitter, stated that Balogun made the right choice because it would have been difficult for him breaking into the Eagles with their array of Europe-based strikers.

“He (Balogun) still won’t make it to the Nigeria team even if they switch to two strikers. He probably might make the bench though and he needs to score or make a very huge impression to get a second invitation if he had chosen Nigeria.”

Majic, another USMNT fan, added, “Considering England and Nigeria’s first choices, they are arguably the greatest strikers in English history and one of the most in-form strikers in the world at Napoli, not much he can do. He’s 21 and chose the country where he starts day 1.”

Nick believes the presence of Osimhen will not give Balogun the chance he deserves in the Nigerian set-up.

“He would have never gotten playing time with Osimhen unless they switch to a two-striker formation.”

Another American Tony Dark added, “He might make Nigeria’s squad, but who would he start ahead of? USA was the only real option if he wants to play international football.”

AbdulBadi’u Akinbode said, “Ademola Lookman who is banging goals every week for Atalanta is struggling to squeeze himself in the first 11, let alone a certain Balogun, who may not get a 23-man call up for a major tournament.”

Jarus added, “He would not start from Nigeria too anyway. USA is possibly his best bet as a starter.”

With a different opinion, Ardent Gooner wrote, “Balogun will show England what they missed out on when he reaches Haaland’s level.”

Balogun could make his debut for the USA against Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League June 15.

If he does, he would join Azuka ‘Jean Harbor, Oguchi Onyenwu, Daryl Dike and Jonathan Amon as footballers of Nigerian descent to have played for The Yanks.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 18, 2023