Glasgow Rangers defender Leon Balogun has reaffirmed his desire to return to the Super Eagles team after nearly two years of absence.

The 36-year-old last featured for Nigeria in the AFCON qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe at Stade d’Agadir in Morocco in June 2022.

Balogun admitted that he has mostly been left out of the team due to his fitness but believes he is in good physical condition to mark his return to the team.

“I said it recently, it’s fair to say I was probably waiting for a call-up,” Balogun told AY Suga Naija Lifestyle.

“Obviously, there’s merit, yes, but you always need to make sure that you have something to show. There were times I didn’t have anything to show for, and there was a time when I, unfortunately, kept being sidelined, not my fault really, but it was an injury that again kept me out for a very long time and it shouldn’t have happened like this.

“I was in touch with Peseiro back then leading up to the AFCON and probably hoping to make the squad because that was the beginning of last season where I didn’t play for the first two and a half months but then right when it gets interesting leading into the AFCON, I was playing and I was playing well so that hurt me a little bit not to be considered, but again I found my peace with it.

“Representing Nigeria is a huge honour for me always and I would like to think that people always saw that in my performances like I don’t come here to joke. So if it’s in the cards, I’m all up. Just recently I clarified that I never retired because I know that was a thing people were thinking, so I am still up for selection.”

Balogun has won 46 caps for the three-time African champions since making his debut for the Super Eagles in a match against Mexico in March 2014.

WDN