Friday, 16 September 2016

Balogun on protective mask, doubtful for Augsburg clash


By Akeem Lawal
SUPER Eagles defender, Leon Balogun is yet to recover from a face injury and is a serious doubt for Mainz 05 as they host Augsburg in the German Bundesliga match day 3 clash billed for WWK Arena on Sunday.

The Nigerian international suffered the face injury in Main 05 dramatic 4-4 draw with Hoffeinheim at the Opel Arena over the weekend in the Bundesliga, even though the 28 year old lasted the entire duration of the encounter.

The defender was pictured wearing a protective mask during training earlier in the week ahead of their UEFA Europa League clash against AS Saint-Etienne last Thursday night but the former Darmstadt 98 was conspicuously missing in his team’s line-up as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting French side.

Balogun who made 21 appearances for Mainz last season has been in excellent for both club and country in recent times, may be left out by coach Martin Schmidt for Sunday’s clash.

The former Werder Bremen defender established a formidable central defensive partnership with K.A.A. Gent defender, William Troost-Ekong as Nigeria defeated Tanzania 1-0 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Nigeria’s new manager, Gernot Rohr will be hoping to have his key player available for Super Eagles first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on October 9 in Ndola.

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