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 PUNCHlearnt, 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.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 14:48:41 +0000
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