Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest full-back, Olaoluwa Temitayo Aina, has talked tough ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 27-year-old has been a regular for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men this season, despite missing almost two months due to injury.
Aina played all seven games for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the AFCON 2023 tournament, including a hundred and twenty minutes against South Africa where he missed a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.
Nigeria will host Hugo Broos’ South Africa on June 7th in their third World Cup qualifying game, and the expectations are high after the Super Eagles drew the first two games.
Speaking ahead of the game, Ola Aina revealed his plans, highlighting that the AFCON 2023 silver medallists want to usher in the Finidi George era with victory.
”What is on my mind is to win and progress and also to welcome the new coach. The appointment of the coach is good for the team and the nation,” the former Chelsea man said in quotes revealed by News Africa Now.
Aina missed the March International break due to an injury, with Bright Osayi-Samuel filling in the right wing-back position. This also meant that the former Torino man missed Finidi’s first two games against Ghana and Mali, whilst being in charge on an interim basis.
After playing South Africa, the Super Eagles will travel to Ivory Coast to face Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic in the final International break of the 2023/2024 football season.