Leon Balogun : I Felt Bad Missing 2014 World Cup

Mainz 05 defender Leon Balogun has admitted that he was disappointed to miss out on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The German-born stopper was omitted from the Super Eagles roster after failing to recover from an injury he picked up on his international debut against Mexico in a pre-World Cup friendly.

Ahead of the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers next month, the 28-year-old says he wants to play in a World Cup.

“To be part of it (laughs). It was very bad by then in 2014, ’’ Leon Balogun said.

“I don’t want to repeat the injury so I am glad to be part of the qualifiers now and I hope that I will stay part of it.’’

Balogun went the distance as the Super Eagles wrapped up their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 win over Tanzania on Saturday.

He was eligible to represent the German and Italian national teams prior to his competitive debut for Nigeria.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel