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Soccer News of Tuesday, 10 January 2023

Source: www.soccernet.ng

Peseiro urged to beat the United States, England to prolific Ligue 1 striker

Prolific Reims forward Folarin Balogun Prolific Reims forward Folarin Balogun

Prolific Reims forward Folarin Balogun will be a great addition to Super Eagles should the Nigerian national team handlers convince the youngster to play for the African giants, says former Nigerian goalkeeper, Andrew Aikhoumogbe.

Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro is not short of attacking options as he can work with Napoli goal-getter Victor Osimhen, Lorient goal-king Terem Moffi, Genk goal-machine Paul Onuachu and Cremonese frontman Cyriel Dessers among others.

But interests in Folarin Balogun have heightened in recent times after the 21-year-old took the French Ligue 1 by storm.

On loan from Arsenal, Balogun has fired ten goals and two assists in 16 league matches for Reims and has looked like a real handful for defenders.

While the youngster is doing well at the club level, his international future is however yet undecided.

Born in the United States to Nigerian parents but raised in England, Balogun is eligible to feature for the three football-loving countries.

Interestingly, Balogun has played for the US and England at youth levels but remains eligible to represent Nigeria.

But that window of opportunity will close when the Arsenal academy product plays competitively for the senior national team of any of those countries.

And retired shot-stopper Andrew Aikhoumogbe has called on coach Peseiro to convince Balogun to play for Nigeria as he could form a dangerous partnership with Osimhen for the Eagles.

“If you ask me, bringing Balogun to the senior national team fold will definitely bolster the Super Eagles,” Andrew Aikhoumogbe told CompleteSports.

“He will be a great addition and will create stiff competition in the Super Eagles attack.

“No doubt, Balogun will compliment Osimhen’s effort in the attack and of course, Nigerians should be expecting goals from all angles once the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume.”

Balogun has often shown that he is proud of his Nigerian heritage.