)
Nigerian defender Leon Balogun could faces a race against time to be fit for the next Super Eagles appointment in March
Nigerian defender Leon Balogun's injury problems could see him miss the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games in March.
The 34-year-old who plays for English Championship side Queens Park Rangers has been injured since November 8 in a game against Huddersfield.
It is now being reported that his three-month layoff could be extended well beyond March when Nigeria play Guinea-Bissau in a double-header AFCON qualifier.
Leon Balogun faces extended time out
Balogun has not been seen on a football pitch since featuring for 45 minutes in QPR’s 1-2 home loss to Huddersfield on November 8.
)
QPR head coach Neil Critchley reportedly said the Nigerian defender is still "a few weeks" from returning to action which puts his estimated recovery date past March.
The central defender had only just joined QPR as a free agent last summer and impressed early on with a goal in 11 games before the injury.
The injury issues and ageing has seen Balogun fall out of favour at international level with Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro dropping him in the last two games.
)
And it is unlikely that Balogun will be involved when the continental qualifying series comes around with Nigeria facing Guinea Bissau in back-to-back matches in Abuja (March 20) and Bissau (March 27).
His QPR contract will expire at the end of the season and there are already reports that the club will let him leave despite his impressive performances because of his poor injury record.
Related content
)
17:56 - 07.02.2023
SUPER EAGLES 'I am impressed with what I have seen' - Peseiro in awe of Nigeria under-17s
Super Eagles boss Jose Peseiro was impressed by the talents he saw at the Golden Eaglets' training
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)