Coach Gernot Rohr will be banking on the partnership of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong to provider a water-tight defence for the Super Eagles when Nigeria takes on Cameroun in the World Cup 2018 Qualifi ers. Nigeria will welcome the reigning African champions Indomitable Lions to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 1st September, before fl ying to Yaounde for a quick-fi re return session on Monday, 4th September.
Ekong and Balogun have been the preferred of Coach Rohr since he started tutoring the senor men’s team team but an injury to Balogun saw Chidozie Awaziem fi lling in for the Mainz 05 player in the 0-2 loss to South Africa during the African Cup of Nations qualifi er in Uyo. Rohr says the return of Balogun to full fi tness, and his combination in the central defence with Ekong has reduced his worry about the backline to be presented against the Cameroonians. ”We lose to South Africa because we didn’t defend so well and thts is one key area we have tried to improve against Cameroon.
We have Balogun coming back and that is a boost”, he said. ”It was clear that we missed him in the fi rst game. He is highly experienced and his experience will be needed against Cameroon. Hopefully we will defend better”. Th e Germany –based defender Leon Balogun is returning to the Eagles squad after missing the World Cup qualifi er against Algeria and the Africa Cup qualifi er against South Africa. Also making a comeback for Nigeria is the Eagles captain Mike Obi and Chelsea of England’s wing back Victor Moses after sitting out in the duel with the Bafana Bafana of Soth Africa in June due to injury
