Tag: Ola Aina

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina could make his long-awaited return to senior football tomorrow  when Nottingham Forest visit Aston Villa in a Premier League clash at Villa Park.

The Nigerian fullback has not featured for Forest’s first team since August after suffering a hamstring injury that ruled him out of action for several months. The setback also led to his removal from the club’s Premier League and Europa League squads in September, effectively delaying his comeback until the January registration window.

Despite returning to full training weeks ago, Aina remained ineligible for selection until recently. To regain match fitness, the versatile defender featured twice for Nottingham Forest’s B team, logging a combined 153 minutes in games against Wolves U21s and Millwall U21s.

Read Also: Super Eagles skip New Year Holiday to prepare for knockout tie

Those appearances have now paved the way for a potential first-team recall, with Forest manager Sean Dyche confirming that Aina is once again available for selection following the reopening of the registration window.

“Ola comes back into the group now, which is good,” Dyche said on Thursday. “He’s in contention and back in the squad. He’s got a lot of miles on the clock because he couldn’t come back into the squad before January anyway.”

Dyche added that the defender has fully recovered from injury and is physically ready, raising hopes of Aina’s first senior outing in months as Forest look to bolster their defensive options.

Forty-Eight hours after being left out of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad, Super Eagles defender Ola Aina made a dramatic return, featuring for Nottingham Forest’s academy side in what can only be described as a bittersweet comeback.

The Super Eagles defender, who hadn’t played since Nigeria’s ill-fated World Cup qualifier against South Africa four months ago, stepped onto the pitch on Friday night as Forest’s academy maintained their impressive Premier League 2 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Millwall.

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The timing could hardly have been more heartbreaking. Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle had just named his 28-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, introducing five new faces including a fresh right-back option. Aina’s name was notably absent from the list.

Yet if the omission stung, the 29-year-old showed no signs of dwelling on disappointment. Playing for over an hour under the guidance of former Manchester United academy boss Warren Joyce, Aina looked sharp and determined, directly contributing to Forest’s success on the night.

The match began with intent from the home side. Adam Berry fired Forest ahead after Danny Anisjko was brought down on the edge of the area, with Berry converting the resulting free-kick with precision and beauty.

Super Eagles star Ola Aina has admitted he is in a love triangle that involves the girlfriend of a fellow football star.

“My dilemma is that I’m in a talking stage with another footballer’s girlfriend,” Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina opened up on a fun TV show this week.

Read Also: World Cup 2026: England draw Croatia as Scotland set for Brazil clash in group stage

“I can’t disclose the club he plays for. The girl and I have been talking for a few weeks, and I believe she likes me more.”

‘Mr Lulu’ is still at 29 and is still an eligible bachelor.

His admission has sharply divided opinions on social media, with some knocking him for not setting a good example for the younger ones.

Ola Aina could well be the next key Super Eagles star to throw in the towel after captain William Ekong after he openly expressed his disappointment to the NFF president Ibrahim Gusau how he was abandoned when he was injured on international duty.

A top source told only SCORENigeria: “Ola (Aina) is seriously considering quitting the Super Eagles. “He was far from happy when he was abandoned after he got injured playing for the Super Eagles.

 “He confronted the NFF president on this, clearly disappointed with how he was left on his own even though he was injured on national service.”

In September, the Nottingham Forest defender, one of the standout stars in the Premier League last season, suffered a hamstring injury that needed surgery when he played against South Africa in Bloemfontein.

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Sources close to the player claimed he was deeply hurt that he was abandoned after this injury.

It was  further gathered that how Ola Aina was badly treated was part of the grudges of the Super Eagles when they staged a pay strike before their 2026 World Cup Playoffs tie against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco.

It was also gathered that this was what informed the NFF president to embark on a fence-mending visit to Ola Aina at his base in England thereafter.

It is now left to be seen whether this visit has pacified the player to drop the idea of turning his back on the Super Eagles.

The president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has paid a visit to Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina in London, wishing him a quick recovery as the full-back continues his rehabilitation from injury.

Aina has been sidelined for both club and country after suffering a hamstring injury that required surgery during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

The setback ruled him out of recent international fixtures and several matches for Nottingham Forest, leaving both the NFF and his club closely monitoring his rehabilitation process.

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Nottingham Forest’s coaching staff recently confirmed that Aina is making steady progress with the sports science team and physiotherapists, although he has not yet returned to full team training.

The club remains cautious with his timeline, ensuring the defender completes every stage of his recovery without setbacks.

Despite the disruption, there is growing optimism around Aina’s availability for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for December in Morocco.

The former Torino player is expected to recover in time for the tournament, where his experience and versatility would be crucial for the Super Eagles.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the federation president to receive first-hand updates on Aina’s rehabilitation and offer encouragement as the player works toward a full re

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has provided an encouraging update on Nigeria defender Ola Aina‘s recovery ahead of their Premier League encounter against Manchester United.

Aina sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles during their 1-1 draw against South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

The setback has kept him sidelined for ten matches across all competitions, six in the Premier League, one in the Carabao Cup, and three in the UEFA Europa League.

Speaking during his pre-match conference, Dyche confirmed that Aina is making steady progress in his rehabilitation but remains unavailable for selection.

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“We have a couple of knocks. Ola is making good progress,” the Forest manager revealed.

“And Zinchenko is a no at the moment. Unfortunately, it took longer than we thought.”

Aina’s absence has been deeply felt, with Forest struggling to find consistency and currently sitting in the Premier League’s relegation zone.

However, Dyche will be hoping for the defender’s swift return to fortify and boost his side’s defensive stability.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle will also be keeping tabs on Aina’s recovery, as the full-back’s fitness could determine his availability for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has delivered encouraging news on the recovery of Nigerian defender Ola Aina.

Aina suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Nigeria in September and subsequently underwent surgery. 

The 29-year-old was initially expected to be out of action until around December.

Dyche has offered an update on Aina’s progress, along with other injured players in the squad.

“I have made a note of them because we have got a couple of knocks,” Dyche told press conference.

Read Also: Ola Aina ‘over the moon’ on new Forest contract

“Angus Gunn hasn’t been playing but is part of the squad, but he has opened up his knee ligaments.

“Woody [Chris Wood] is going to be possible for the Leeds game. He won’t make this one. We will have to see how that goes.

“Ola [Aina] is making good progress. Zinchenko is a no at the moment, unfortunately, and it is going to be a bit longer than we thought.

“Bakwa [Dilane] is still a no, but is making good progress. I’m having to read them off a list so I don’t forget them.

“We’re hoping no more occur, that’s for sure. A few knocks, but nothing too serious at the moment,” the former Everton boss concluded about the injuries.

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has voiced his frustration at losing the Super Eagles wing back, Ola Aina to injury.

The defender suffered a hamstring complaint during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in Bloemfontein which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Aina is now sidelined for a significant period, leaving Forest without one of their key defensive and attacking outlets.

Read Also: Aiyegbeni, Oshaniwa berate NFF for blaming  Ekong, Dessers for Super Eagles’ woes 

With the club still searching for a first win under Postecoglou, Aina’s absence is a substantial blow.

 “As a club, we often pay a price. We obviously lost Ola Aina to an international duty injury, and he is an important player for us,” Postecoglou told the club’s website.  “But the benefit of players participating in these kinds of competitions … allows them to grow in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.”

 “I am a big fan of continental competition, representative football, and international football, though I know the congested calendar makes it difficult.”

Aina has undergone a first surgery for the injured hamstring with reports indicating He could be out for an extended period.

Nottingham Forest new head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed that he was looking forward to working with Nigeria defender Ola Aina before his injury. 

The 28-year-old played 87 minutes against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the first of Nigeria’s two games during the September International break.

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However, he had to be taken off inside ten minutes at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein as the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against South Africa, as Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hit the rocks.

Aina’s injury came as a big blow for Ange as he missed his first game in charge against Arsenal. After the extent of the injury was confirmed, the former Australian manager mentioned he’s looking forward to working with the Super Eagles defender.

Super Eagles stars Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi will now play under former Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, following Nottingham Forest’s confirmation of the Australian as their new head coach.

The appointment comes after the dismissal of Nuno Espírito Santo, who spent two years at the City Ground and guided Forest to European football for the first time in three decades. Postecoglou, known for his attacking philosophy, is expected to bring a fresh identity as the club continues its Premier League evolution.

The 60-year-old has reportedly signed a contract until June 2027 and will immediately begin preparations for his debut fixture — an away clash against Arsenal on Saturday.

 “Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as the Club’s First Team Head Coach,” the club announced on X (formerly Twitter).

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Club owner Evangelos Marinakis hailed the appointment, describing Postecoglou as a proven winner.

“We are bringing in a coach with a consistent record of winning trophies,” he said. “His experience at the highest level and his ambition to build something special with us at Forest make him the right man to take us forward. Having secured promotion and then European football, our next step is to compete with the very best and challenge for trophies — Ange has the credentials to deliver that.”

Awoniyi is expected to join training with the new boss immediately, while Aina will link up with him after featuring for Nigeria in Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.