AFCON Qualifiers: Rohr To Assess Aribo, Balogun Injuries

Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr may not have a fully fit Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun for the November double header AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone after the duo are sidelined with thigh quad injuries.

Aribo and Balogun are widely seen as sure bets to make Rohr’s 24-man lists that will prosecute the much-awaited encounter, but the former Burkina Faso manager is already assessing the extent of their injuries and could be force to make drastic changes if both players are not fully fit for the busy schedule.Indeed, initial fears of Rangers’ fan we’re confirmed after Gerrard revealed on Friday that Joe Aribo could face another six weeks out with an ankle injury after the hardworking star was missing from Glasgow Rangers training.

The young midfielder was expected back in training with the squad that faced Dundee United on Saturday, but his absence in last Wednesday’s training sparked fresh injury fears among the club faithful. By all calculations, it means Aribo would have been sidelined for nine weeks when he finally returns. Leon Balogun was pulled off during warm-up and could spend another three weeks in the physio room. Nigeria was initially scheduled to face Sierra Leone in matchday 3 and 4 in March before the Covid-19 pandemic. Rohr’s men currently top Group L with six points and will almost certainly seal qualification to Cameroon next year if they win both legs against Sierra Leone in Asaba and Freetown.