Balogun apologises for penalty miss

Nigeria-born star Folarin Balogun spoke out on his Monaco nightmare on Friday night, where the USA striker missed two penalties as his new team lost 1-0 to Nice.

To add insult to injury, Nice's goal came in the last minute of the game after their new star striker twice failed to score from the penalty spot in the French league game.

Taking to X on Saturday, Balogun wrote: 'It is difficult to turn the page on last night's defeat.

'I know how much this game meant to the fans and us as a team. I take responsibility but failed on this occasion.

'I will always believe in myself and my focus is to make it right and help us all reach our objectives!'

Balogun missed his first penalty 12 minutes into the game against Nice, with goalkeeper Marcin Bulka comfortably saving the effort.

However, things soon went from bad to worse for Balogun when Monaco were awarded another penalty 10 minutes into the second half.

After displaying courage in stepping up to the spot for a second time having already been denied, the former Arsenal star's braveness was not rewarded when Bulka kept his penalty out once again.

The 22-year-old Balogun has scored once in three games for his new team after his $26million move to the French team last month from Premier League side Arsenal.

The striker also scored once for the

USA in the recent friendly game against Oman, which his team won 4-0.

His next chance to make amends comes next Saturday when Monaco host Marseille.

Monaco coach Adi Hutter said after the game: '[Balogun] was unlucky tonight. He is also very frustrated. He is a young striker and he will help us in the future.

'We will help him bounce back, but we win together and we lose together.'