Balogun, 27, has been a revelation this season and one of the most consistent Nigerian defenders in Europe, who would have been a certain starter against Egypt next weekend. However, he did not travel with the rest of his Mainz teammates to Werder Bremen yesterday for their Die Bundesliga match and has been ruled out of action for two weeks.
With Balogun's injury coming on top of that of Kenneth Omeruo's groin strain, Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia is now without his two first choice centrebacks. It is unlikely either of them will report to the team camp in Abuja, so will not be available for either the home game in Kaduna on the 25th or the away game in Alexandria ion the 29th.
Meanwhile, skipper Ahmed Musa is in fine form, striking twice to help his club CSKA Moscow beat Kuban Krasnodar 2-0 in a league game yesterday. More good news filtered into the Super Eagles Bolton White Apartments camp yesterday when it emerged that Alex Iwobi scored for Arsenal against Everton yesterday, helping the Gunners win 2-0.
Both the coaches and backroom staff expressed their excitement seeing the youngster grab the headlines ahead of the all-important clash against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna on Friday. Iwobi, a cousin of ex-international, Austin Okocha is one of the 19 foreign based stars that Siasia will be relying on to destroy the Egyptians.
Most of the European-based players are expected to hit camp tomorrow after this weekend's round of league games. Apart from Omeruo and Balogun, Siasia has a full complement of 42 players to select his team from.
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