Leon Balogun On Super Eagles Defensive Rivalry, Weather Conditions In Egypt, Pay Dispute

Brighton & Hove's Leon Balogun believes the players are thriving on the defensive rivalry in the Super Eagles squad and has insisted it is an asset to the team not a problem.

Following an outstanding season in La Liga, Kenneth Omeruo appears to have broken into the starting line-up of the Super Eagles and manager Gernot Rohr can call upon William Troost-Ekong or Balogun to partner the Chelsea star in central defence.

''I wouldn't call it a good problem, I would call it a good asset because no matter what happens you know whoever comes in we are ready and we know how to do our job, even know how to score goals,'' Balogun told reporters in the mixed zone after the game vs Guinea, including allnigeriasoccer.com.

''Kenneth decided the game for us so it is perfect and it's well deserved for him. It is not a problem, it is an advantage definitely.''

Balogun admitted that it was tough facing Guinea in unfavorable climatic conditions and hopes their next games are played in the evening.

''It was the first time where we really have to face that problem, the game before was in the evening and even when we were training it was moderate so today was tough, it was a really, really tough one.

''I think the next game is 6 or 7, I hope from then onward the game will be the same time so we don't have to face that problem again.''

On the pay strike the players embarked on a day before meeting the Syli Stars, the Super Eagles number 6 said : ''The team has always been very close, the coach always preaches solidarity but I think we are really living it, there's always great spirit in the team.

''There were some reports as you mentioned of some issues, you saw how we played our hearts out.

''For us as a team, we are a unit and we will always do our best to show that to the world.''

Ifeanyi Emmanuel