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Glasgow Rangers of Scotland defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun has confessed that he will most likely remember all the days of his life how he failed to help the Super Eagles qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Megasportsarena.com reports that the mulatto stopper stated as much while reflecting on Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Ghana at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which saw The Black Stars nick the ticket on away goals rule.
While admitting the Eagles got unprecedented support in and outside the arena before and during the game, Balogun admitted the best effort from him and other players was simply not good enough.
He went on to apologise to Nigerian fans on behalf of the entire squad, but admitted he might have missed out on the chance of a last appearance at the Mundial, as he is already advanced in age.
The 33-year-old stopper, who came close to grabbing a winner in Tuesday’s tie, but saw his brilliant header saved by Ghana’s goalkeeper, thanked Eagles’ fans for their support.
He, however, admitted in a post on social media that their failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 is now his darkest hour with the national team since making his debut in a pre-World Cup friendly against Mexico on March 6, 2014.
Nonetheless, the former SV Mainz, Darmstadt and Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany as well as ex-Brighton and Wigan Athletic of England ace, concluded with enthusiasm about better results coming Nigeria’s way in future outings.
Balogun posted: “Thank you to all my fellow Nigerians. For the support you’ve shown us from afar, in front of your TV’s, in Kumasi, but especially in Abuja.
“In my eight years as Super Eagle I have never seen so many hopeful and joyful faces supporting us.
“Pushing us on relentlessly to reach our common goal and it was both, incredibly touching and overwhelming.
“Everybody tried, everybody wanted to qualify so bad and play at the World Cup 2022 – for the 1st, for another or one last time.
“The harder it is to accept that our best, individually as well as collectively, wasn’t good enough to make that happen – even more so given the rivalry.
“I will probably always remember this painful exit as my darkest hour with the national team.
“As players we understand how much of an impact football can have on the mood of the nation – therefore we share your disappointment, frustration and the pain.
“Please let’s not allow emotions over what is out of our control now to get in the way of what there is to achieve in the future.
“Players and coaches will come and go, but remember: you and your support will always be needed as vital part of the Super Eagles.”
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