Aina ready for Eagles return

File: Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is relishing his return to the Super Eagles as Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in their opening game of the series before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau next Tuesday.

Aina has been away from the national team since sustaining an injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2025.

After returning to fitness, he was initially named in Nigeria’s 54-man provisional squad for the 2025 AFCON, which was held between December 2025 and January 2026, but was omitted from the Super Eagles’ final 28-man squad for the tournament.

“It’s good to be back with the team and Nigeria,” Aina told Football Temple.

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“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.”

The defender was part of Nigeria’s run to the final of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles settled for silver.

Since making his international debut in October 2017, Aina has made 48 appearances for Nigeria, providing four assists.

His versatility has also seen him operate at both right- and left-back, giving coach Eric Chelle another option in the full-back positions.

Aina has made four Premier League appearances for Forest this season.

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