Balogun out of Ecuador friendly, to join Super Eagles for AFCON qualifiers

Leon Balogun has been ruled out of Super Eagles’ friendly against La Tri of Ecuador on Thursday, BSNSports.com.ng gathered.

Balogun was earlier expected to travel to New Jersey, United States of America after recovering from a minor calf injury that forced him to miss last Sunday’s 2-2 friendly defeat to Mexico.

According to camp sources, the Glasgow Rangers defender has now been granted permission to join the team in Abuja this weekend ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone and Les Dodos of Mauritius.

In Balogun’s absence, West Bromwich Albion defender, Semi Ajayi paired vice-captain William Troost-Ekong in central defence against the Mexicans.

The Super Eagles are expected to return to Abuja this weekend after Thursday’s friendly against Ecuador.

Jose Peseiro and his boys will shift attention to the AFCON qualifiers with some of the players who could not make the trip to the US expected to join the team.

They will host Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, June 9, and then travel to St Pierre four days later for the clash against Mauritius.