Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is excited to be back with the Super Eagles as Nigeria kicks off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying journey against Madagascar on Friday, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in their first match of the series. After this, they will travel to play against Guinea-Bissau next Tuesday.
Aina has not played for the national team since he got injured during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2025. Now that he is fit again, he was first included in Nigeria’s 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON, which took place between December 2025 and January 2026. Unfortunately, he did not make it to the final 28-man squad for the tournament.
“It’s good to be back with the team and Nigeria,” Aina told Football Temple.
“The motivation is to do well in the first qualifying game. We are looking to win and get all three points. Hopefully, that is what will happen.”
Aina was part of the Nigerian team that reached the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles finished with a silver medal.
Since his international debut in October 2017, Aina has played 48 times for Nigeria and has provided four assists.
His ability to play as both a right-back and left-back gives coach Eric Chelle another option in the defense.
This season, Aina has made four Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest.
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