Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, and defender, Leon Balogun, became a year older on Wednesday.
While the tactician clocked 64, the Mainz man Balogun turned 29.
We look at three similarities between the pair, aside from their birthday and the Nigeria national team.
- German heritage
Both Rohr and Balogun have German roots. While Rohr, born in Mannheim, south-west of the country has both parents as Germans, Berlin-born Balogun born has only a German mum.
- Began club career in Deutschland
Being born in Germany doesn’t necessarily guarantee kick starting your career in the country. But ironically, both birthday boys did. Rohr started at hometown club, VfL Neckarau, before joining Bayern Munich. Whereas Balogun began his at his own boyhood team, Hertha BSC.
- Both Defenders
Another similarly between Rohr and Balogun is the fact that both play as defenders. The tactician was a tough tackling defender during his playing days, making his mark at Bayern and Bordeaux. Balogun, on his own part, has shown to be equally tough, flaunting exquisite defensive prowess each season in the Bundesliga.
- Snubbed by country of birth
Despite their successes at club level, Rohr and Balogun were never considered for Die Mannschaft. But unlike Rohr, Balogun was eligible for another country, and didn’t hesitate to switch allegiance to Nigeria.
