Leon Balogun insists that the Super Eagles have moved on from their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
The Super Eagles fell short at the final hurdle, losing on the away goal rule to Ghana’s Black Stars.
When they face the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone on Thursday, the team will look to put that behind them and focus on their quest for a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Balogun stated that they are planning for the future, with a spot at the 2023 AFCON being the primary goal.
”That’s behind us now. I played for my club (Rangers) four days after the game against Ghana, so it’s football. It goes on. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself,” the centre-back told reporters.
“Obviously it hurts, but you have to move on. Like they say, time heals old wound. You have to move on because the next match is always around the corner.”
The Super Eagles were held to a 4-4 draw by Sierra Leone the last time both teams met in November 2020.
Balogun is confident things will be different this time around.
“That’s in the past, there is no point revisiting that. The lesson is not to underestimate any opponent,” he added.
“Sure they will come with a different team, but we will do our best to win the game.”