QPR's Leon Balogun out of Algeria friendly after picking up knock in league game

QUEENS Park Rangers (QPR) centreback Leon Balogun will miss Nigeria's forthcoming friendly game against the Desert Foxed of Algeria taking plate on September 27 after picking up am injury which has led to him being replaced with Sochaux's Valentine Ozornwafor.

Balogun, 34, joined English Championship side QPR from Glasgow Rangers this season and has had a good start to the current campaign so far. QPR manager Michael Beale, has lauded the positive impact Balogun has had on the team in the past two matches but unfortunately, he picked up an injury in their most recent league game against Stoke City.

As a result, Ozornwafor, the former Flying Eagle, who has won two senior caps and currently plays for French second division club Sochaux. has been called up as a replacement. He may now likely start in the friendly due to take place in the Mediterranean  coastal city of Oran on September 27.

Ozornwafor is actually owned by Belgian side Sporting Charleroi but he is on a season-long loan to French club Sochaux. he will have to fill the boots of Balogun, who got his second start as QPR  played a 0-0 draw against Stoke City on Saturday bit unfortunately, he picked up a knock from the game.

Mr Beale said: "Big credit goes to the team for keeping two clean sheets in as many matches but obviously Balogun coming in is significant. His coming in has given us an experience and I am not going to say hope because he won’t like that but he is an experienced head in the back four and has helped us become stronger in the last couple of games."

After collecting four points from their last two matches, QPR have climbed to sixth position in the Championship table with 15 points from 15 matches. Balogun joins Nigeria's injury list of players who will miss the Algeria game, which includes Victor Osimhen, Umar Sadiq, Henry Onyekuru and Kenneth Omeruo.