World Cup: How I Fought Back Tears Driving To Abuja Stadium – Super Eagles’ Leon Balogun

Leon Balogun, the Nigeria international defender, has talked about his love for the game and the support he gets.

He revealed that he held back tears while driving to the Abuja Stadium the day Ghana stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar after losing the spot to their West African neighbours.

They played out a scoreless first-leg tie in Kumasi and a 1-1 draw at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

Balogun said the supporters of the National team showed overwhelming support for the players which made the 1-1 draw a bitter pill to swallow.

Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Balogun, “Driving to the stadium on that day I was holding back tears because I was touched by the support.

I’ve played with great support, I’m not trying to be disrespectful to any other place we’ve played with the national team before but Abuja that day was packed.

“I saw little boys, girls, families, elders, everybody rooting for us. The stadium was packed, it was unreal and I said to myself just for them we have to make it.

“Obviously it was heartbreaking when we conceded that first goal, it was a tough one to take, and came back with a penalty, we couldn’t just break them down.”