Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun said the character of Super Eagles matters when the team takes on Ghana’s Black Stars in the Qatar 2022 World Cup Play-Off this weekend
Balogun who missed the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon due to injury returned to the team, adding the team is ready to be part of the first World Cup in the Middle East.
“I tried to leave the rivalry pretty much aside without saying I don’t respect it but I respect the rivalry,” the Rangers defender told NFF Tv.“For me personally, it is about where do I want to go with the team and that is probably the World Cup and it happens that we have to play against Ghana.
“ I know there is that rivalry and huge importance to this outside football and also within football.”
He added: “But I tried to do my best on the pitch and this game demands a special kind of character. You have to speak for yourself on the pitch but our focus should be on football and forget what happens outside the field as we need to leave that to the fans.”
Meanwhile, Balogun’s teammate at Rangers, Calvin Bassey is ready to give his best for the Eagles against the Ghanaian side.
“It is a massive game and I am just focusing on how I can help the team and what role I will play for the team. It is going to be a test for us as a team because it is a big match for both teams,” he noted.