Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany right
back, Leon Balogun, who made his debut with Nigeria on Wednesday, will
undergo surgery in Germany by this weekend. The defender suffered a
fractured foot in the international friendly match between Nigeria and
Mexico which ended goalless in Atlanta Georgia, United States.
Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez also came off at halftime with a suspected knee injury.
According to reports from the Nigeria
camp in Atlanta, the Super Eagles doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, told coach
Stephen Keshi that surgery was the best option open to the player. The
surgery will however effectively rule him out for up to 8 weeks. His
chances of returning to the national team in time for the final
preparations for the World Cup do not look encouraging.
The medics explained that if he does not
carry out any surgery, it would take him up to four months to return to
action. His club medics, The PUNCH learnt, have already been
briefed about the development even as Keshi says his immediate concern
for the player is about his health.
Balogun was involved in a horrific fall
with a Mexican striker near the dug house of the El Tri midway into the
second half of the encounter and hit his legs against objects in the
technical area. That forced the Nigerian bench to replace him even
though he came on only in the second half of the game. The player lasted
only 23 minutes on the pitch.
Despite his situation Balogun said, “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 camp but I will soon catch up
because I like the atmosphere in the Eagles camp.
“I’m happy with the way I was received
as if I have been with them for a very long time. I pray my injury heals
on time so that I can return to playing football for my club and
country.”
The Nigeria Football Federation also
handed out the hand book on code of conduct to the players and officials
of the national teams. The 18-page document clearly outlines what is
expected of players, officials and even the federation during camping
and major tournaments.
NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari,
said, “The document is done in good faith and to ensure that players and
officials know their obligations and how to properly conduct
themselves, while the NFF will ensure that it also fulfils its own part
of the bargain during major tournaments.”
The Nigerian delegation is expected back
in Nigeria on Friday evening through the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport in Lagos.
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