Balogun fell hard while challenging for a high ball, after coming in to
replace Efe Ambrose in the second half of Wednesday's international
friendly clash with Mexico at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia,
United States of America.
The fair-skinned stopper, a virtual unknown in Nigeria's football
firmament before being called up by Coach Stephen Keshi in place of
injured skipper Joseph Yobo, showed excellent spirit in flying to
America at short notice, and was brilliant in the two training sessions
and the few minutes he starred against the El Tri.
"The NFF is pleased with the attitude, general conduct and potential of
the young defender Leon Balogun. It is unfortunate that he got injured
when he went for that ball.
"All the same, I have instructed the Team Doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran, to
keep in contact with the player and ensure that he is able to provide
for the boy, or promptly advise the NFF, towards his full recovery. We
are happy that afterall, he will not be needing any surgery on the leg.
"A player of Balogun's attitude, discipline and dedication is an asset to any team in the world," Maigari said at the weekend.
The Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany defender left Atlanta in crutches,
from the impact of the incident, but retained his high spirit of making
Nigeria's squad to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
"I have been told that this could take a few weeks, but definitely my
focus remains making the squad to the World Cup. I believe I will be
fine," Balogun said at the team's W. Buckhead Hotel on his way to the
airport on Thursday.
Maigari has also promised to personally visit the player in Germany to spur his recovery.
"I will find time to go and see the boy in Germany. He has shown
brilliant spirit and we are keen on his recovery and general
development."
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