“Happy to be back” – Super Eagles star returns from injury that kept him out of AFCON 2021

The senior national team continues to impress in Cameroon as one of its key defenders, who missed the continental championship because of fitness issues, recovers

Super Eagles centre-back Leon Balogun has expressed his delight at returning to action for Rangers after weeks on the treatment table.

Balogun had not played for club or country since he limped off during Rangers’ Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat to Hibs in November due to a back injury.

The Berlin-born defender still made Nigeria’s 28-man squad to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in December after returning to training.

But he eventually dropped out of the squad, preparing to head to Cameroon as he continued to recover from the injury, with West Brom’s star Semi Ajayi called up as his replacement.

Balogun, however, returned to Rangers’ starting lineup in their Scottish Cup clash against Stirling Albion, helping the Gers to a 4-0 win at the Ibrox Stadium. Goals from Alex Lowry, James Tavernier, Cedric Itten, and Fashion Sakala gave Gio van Bronchorst’s men a comfortable victory on home ground.

And after the encounter, Balogun took to his Twitter account to express his delight at playing football again.

“It’s been a long time and I’m so happy to finally be back home,” he wrote. 

Balogun’s club and international teammate Joe Aribo is currently with the Super Eagles in Cameroon, where they are billed to face fellow former champions Tunisia in a Round of 16 contest.

The Nigerians are one of the favourites tipped to go all the way and win the Afcon trophy after winning all their three group matches – the only side to do so in Cameroon.