Kenneth Omeruo is currently winning the race to replace Leon Balogun if the newly signed on Brighton and Hove Albion defender fails to recover in time for the game against Croatia.
Balogun missed today’s training session with a knock and pending a medical scan which he underwent today he could miss the Saturday’s game which is Nigeria’s first of the World Cup in Russia.
Omeruo deputised for him alongside his regular central defence partner William Troost-Ekong in today’s training session which was held behind close doors.
Coach Gernot Rohr took out time to work on the duo during the session, a pointer to the fact that he could line them up as his preferred option in central defence. Something that worked for the team in their first World Cup 2018 Qualifiers tie against Zambia in Ndola.
Chidozie Awaziem is also an option but the young Porto defender has failed to build up an understanding with Ekong in the games Rohr has paired them in central defence.
Osas Mahawi
