We need to move on from Sierra Leone - Leon Balogun 

Super Eagles defender, Leon Balogun has urged football-loving Nigerians to move from the disappointing 4-4 AFCON qualifiers draw against Sierra Leone.

In November last year, the Super Eagles threw away a four lead to draw against Sierra Leone to the surprise of many. The result effectively delayed Nigeria’s qualification for next year’s AFCON in Cameroon. 

Alex Iwobi got a brace and one goal each from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze place the Super Eagles in a comfortable space. 

However, with the Benin Republic now in sight, the reliable Balogun says everyone must move on from that game and focus on Saturday’s battle against the Squirrels after he was asked questions about that encounter in Benin City. 

“The game against Sierra Leone wasn’t all that bad, I know a lot of people will disagree but I’d take that on the chin,” he stated. 

“You don’t just score four goals and dominate the game like that. It was just that something happened that day that just went sideways and mistakes were made. 

“So, it’s about eradicating, learning from them (mistakes), and advancing. But it doesn’t help anyone to keep going back to the game. It’s a new match on Saturday and we just have to make sure that we are the best of ourselves, minimise mistakes, focus on our strengths, and put Benin in trouble.” 

On what the Super Eagles need to do to come out of Porto Novo with a positive result, the talented defender says while the players are motivated, it’s all down to the coaches and how they bring the players up to speed. 

“(We are) Motivated 100%,” he added. “The preparations just started, it all comes down to the coaches to prepare us (the players) and make sure everyone is up to speed on how we want to approach the game and make sure we win it.”

“We need to put Benin in trouble, ask them questions throughout the game that they (will) come short to answer. Are we going to go all out? Yes, we do that every time, and hopefully, this time, this looks different than the game against Sierra Leone.”