Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun opens up on how his experiences representing Nigeria is having positive impact in his life; npflupdates.com reports.
Balogun is plying his trade in his Scottish Premiership, where he’s contracted with former champions Rangers FC.
The Super Eagles defender was in action last weekend, when his side struggled to beat Hearts of Midlothian at the Ibrox.
It was a high intense game, with Cyriel Dessers’ goal from six minutes being the only difference of the encounter. Both sides had shots on goal; hence making fans anxious and unsettled.
Speaking to the media after the game, Balogun revealed that playing for the Super Eagles has exposed him to more tense situations than what they observed at the Ibrox.
Leon shares experience he has with Super Eagles fans
“Playing for the Nigerian national team prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters,” Balogun was quoted by Vanguard Nigeria.
“Let me put one out there. I was at Rangers at the time and we played against Sierra Leone.
“We were winning 4-1 – good for me as I came off after 60 minutes – and we ended the game 4-4. And on the way back to the hotel, some of the security staff said: “Don’t sit next to the windows.”
He continued, “Some players closed the curtains and then five minutes into the drive, you turn the corner and they threw stones at the bus, our fans. So, I guess that kind of prepared me.
“The expectation of Nigeria was always really, really high. So, I’ve met something like it before, and I think that helped me personally.”
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He added, “It’s my fourth season at the club, I know what it can be like, and you just have to get on with it to be very honest, there are moments probably where you think, OK, that’s a bit unreasonable, but it’s just the club.
“You have to put that weight on your shoulders as soon as you put on the shirt and deal with it.
