The Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe has provided clarification regarding the absence of Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina from Nigeria’s 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The Djurtus flogged the Super Eagles of Nigeria 3-0 to claim an unexpected victory over the three-time African champions.
Aina, who rejoined the Super Eagles squad earlier this month, remained on the bench as Birmingham City’s Bright Osayi-Samuel assumed the right-back position.
Osayi-Samuel endured a challenging performance, finding it difficult to contain Guinea-Bissau captain Mama Baldé, whose pace and technical ability created significant difficulties for Nigeria’s defensive line.
Following the match, Efoghe attributed Aina’s absence to fitness concerns and expressed apprehension about the poor condition of the Stade du 24 Septembre playing surface.
He noted that the decision was informed by Aina’s previous experience at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, where he sustained an injury that resulted in an extended absence from football.
“They are very similar. You wonder why Ola Aina could not play the game yesterday; it is a physiological thing,” Efoghe told News Central TV.
“Remember, it was on a bad pitch against South Africa that Ola Aina picked up an injury that took him out of football for almost one year.”
Efoghe also advocated for improved standards across African football, calling on relevant stakeholders to address concerns about playing conditions across the continent.
“We must discontinue these questionable practices in African football. If we want the sport to advance on the continent, we must conduct ourselves appropriately,” he concluded.
Aina sustained the injury during the first half of the Super Eagles’ crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against South Africa.
The Super Eagles will subsequently seek to bounce back from the disappointing result when they face Russia in an international friendly scheduled for October 6.
AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles reveal why Ola Aina didn’t play against Guinea-Bissau