Nigeria Handed Boost Ahead Of AFCONQ As Wigan's Balogun Is Passed Fit After Injury Scare

Published: March 07, 2020

Three-time African champions Nigeria have been handed a boost ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone with Brighton & Hove loanee Leon Balogun fit for the games in Asaba and Freetown.

Providing an injury update ahead of today's Championship clash against Luton Town at the DW Stadium, Wigan have informed via their official website that Balogun is available for selection.

The central defender could not complete last weekend's 1-0 victory at West Brom and the initial word from the Latics was that he was replaced as a result of injury.

Wigan Athletic have now clarified that Balogun came off 'due to illness' midway through the second half.

Balogun is enjoying a brilliant spell at Wigan following his loan move from the Seagulls in the January transfer window, so much so that he has been recalled to the national team after missing their last three games against Brazil, Benin and Lesotho.

The experienced center back has played five matches in a row in the second tier, helping goalkeeper David Marshall to keep three clean sheets in the last three games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel