Leon Balogun apologises for blunder in Nigeria’s loss to Madagascar

Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Leon Balogun has taken to social media to apologise to fans for his blunder in the team’s 2-0 loss to Madagascar on Sunday.

Balogun partnered William Troost-Ekong in the defence for his second appearance at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) but underwhelmed in Alexandria.

Madagascar opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Lalaina Nomenjanahary who pounced on a defensive error made by the 31-year-old.

While trying to play out from the back, John Ogu passed to Balogun at the edge of the penalty area, but the defender hesitated which left Nomenjanahary to take control as he rounded goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa before scoring into an empty net.
The Brighton and Hove Albion defender admitted his mistake during Sunday’s encounter but promised to ‘bounce back’ amid criticism from Nigerian fans.
“You can love me or either leave me, but I’m only human and I make mistakes,” Balogun tweeted.

“Try not to hold that against me though. I accept full responsibility for my actions, so if you all expect me to be perfect, I apologise for being human. No mistake’s too great to recover and bounce back.”