Leon Balogun has drawn from his past experiences with the Nigerian national team to explain how they helped him handle the pressures at Rangers, particularly during tense moments on the pitch.
The Super Eagles defender and his Rangers teammates found themselves under intense scrutiny following a 1-0 win over Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday.
Although striker Cyriel Dessers scored early in the sixth minute, the Light Blues struggled throughout the game, which left the Scottish fans anxious until the final whistle.
Balogun, who is in his second spell at the Scottish club, used the occasion to reflect on his time with Nigeria, specifically recalling a volatile encounter in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone four years ago. The Super Eagles had been cruising with a 4-1 lead, only for the match to end in a shocking 4-4 draw when he came in.
Recounting the aftermath of that game, Balogun shared an unsettling memory with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champions likening their fans with Rangers’.
“Playing for the Nigerian national team prepared me, because believe me or not, they probably have just as much expectation as our supporters at Rangers,” he explained.
The former Queens Park Rangers player went on to recall the tense journey back to the hotel, where security warned players not to sit near the windows after the disappointing draw.
“Five minutes into the drive, we turned the corner, and our own fans threw stones at the bus,” he said. “That kind of prepared me for moments like these.”
For Balogun, the experience with Nigeria’s passionate fans has shaped his resilience which has enabled him to face similar challenges at Rangers with a composed mindset.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
