The last time Nigeria met South Africa, the story is very familiar but one man was absent; cue Leon Balogun.
At the time, the defender playing for German Bundesliga outfit, Mainz 05,had forged a partnership with William Troost-Ekong in the heart of the Eagles defence that was solid.
Unfortunately, on 10 June 2017 the lanky, towering Center-Back would play no part in the first-leg of the sides’ 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Balogun has endured the misfortune of many-a disturbing injury problems in his career and prior to the meeting between the Eagles and Bafana Bafana in Uyo, that demon rose out of the dirt.
The eventual result was a back line that could not hold and well as the saying goes, the rest is history.
But fast forward 525 days, the 30-year-old now an English premier league and poised to pull on the Nigerian jersey against South Africa for a bigger purpose.
Balogun is expected to partner Troost in the Eagles back four with the team seeking the W that not only cements Nigeria’s place as Group E leader, but also confirms the Country’s return to the AFCON.
Thus it’s fitting when the West Berlin-born footballer tweeted a photo with his teammates [Iheanacho, Etebo, Troost, Ogu, Ezenwa and Omeruo] ahead of the clash with the simple creative caption: DSTRBN SA
DSTRBN SA 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/BB3qRlsAXs
— Leon Balogun (@LeonBalogun) November 16, 2018
For the more traditional minds: Disturbing South Africa
Disturbing for the South African because of the presence of Nigeria’s best on their soil with a mission to throw Bafana’s 2019 AFCON qualification off the grid.
Kick off for the encounter is 2pm Nigerian time at the FNB Stadium in Jo’burg.
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