American pundit urges Balogun to snub Nigeria

American journalist and co-founder of BreakingTheLine, Zach Lowy, has urged Folarin Balogun to snub Nigeria and France to play for the US, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Balogun, the rising star of Ligue 1, is torn between choosing which country to play for as he is eligible to represent Nigeria, the United States and England.

The 21-year-old, whose parents are from Nigeria, was born in New York City and emigrated to England when he was two years old, growing up in London.

The Arsenal academy, who is currently on loan in Reims in France’s topflight league, is one of the hottest strikers in Europe with his impressive performances so far this season.

With 15 goals in 24 games this season, he trails only Kylian Mbappé in the goal scoring charts. He’s proven himself to be more than capable of performing at the highest level.

Balogun has represented both England and the United States at the youth levels but is yet to make his senior appearance for any, thus, he is still eligible to play for the three times African champions.

While there have been calls for the forward to represent the Super Eagles, Lowy believes the youngster doesn’t stand a chance of playing regularly for Nigeria with the presence of in-form Victor Osimhen in the team.


“Folarin Balogun would be wise to choose the USA over England and Nigeria,” he wrote on Twitter.

“It’s highly unlikely that he’s going to be overtaking Harry Kane or Victor Osimhen anytime soon and it’s clear that he’s a massive upgrade over any of the USMNT’s current options at centre forward.

“With that being said, I’d expect Balogun’s scintillating form in Ligue 1 will make him believe he has what it takes to challenge for a spot in the England team ahead of Ivan Toney, Callum Wilson, Tammy Abraham or Ollie Watkins. At 21, the sky is the limit for him. Come on over Folarin, the water’s nice and warm.”