Balogun came on for Michael Uchebo in the early Thursday morning's scoreless draw with Mexico in Atlanta, Georgia, but left the pitch soon prematurely on account of injury.
“He (Balogun) is not replacing Yobo at all.We did not call him up to fill Yobo's place in the team", Keshi assured.
Leon, a late minute call up to the squad ahead the international friendly with Mexico in the aftermath of Skipper Joseph Yobo's injury, has caught the fancy of the Big boss who said the Fortuna Dusledolf of Germany will play a key role in the team leading to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
The former Nigeria captain and 1994 AFCON winner said he was inspired by the need to plan for the future, hence he looked in the direction of the Dusledolf center-back.
“We have to look to the future and that is why we called up Balogun," Keshi declared.
“He has been in our plans for a long time and it was just about time that he steps out into the team for us to see what he can do.
“And I must say I am glad that he responded well and the boys here also welcomed him well,” Keshi said.
Keshi further stated that the Mexico match offered him opportunity to have a close look at Imoh Ezekiel as he continues to search for options in the national team.
“We also had an opportunity to see (Ezekiel) Imoh, who is a part of the system now for us to see what they can do to make the team better, we must look ahead.”
The former Anderlecht of Belgium stopper expressed frustration with the injury that kept Joseph Yobo out of the Mexico match on Wednesday.
Keshi however posited that Yobo should focus on the summer World Cup in Brazil,declaring that Leon was not invited to fill Yobo's space.
“Yobo was still bent on coming for the game even if just to support the team, but I told him to relax and recover quickly for the World Cup“, Keshi said.
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