‘It is a physiological thing’ — Why Ola Aina didn’t play against Guinea-Bissau revealed

The Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe has disclosed why Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina sat out during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash against Guinea-Bissau.

Despite his impressive performance against Madagascar in the first game, the former Torino defender didn’t feature a single minute against Guinea-Bissau, with Eric Chelle opting for Bright Osayi-Samuel at right-back.

Osayi-Samuel struggled for most part of the game and had a tough time coping with the threat of Guinea-Bissau captain Mama Baldé.

After the game, Efoghe attributed Aina’s absence to fitness concerns while citing the poor nature of the Stade du 24 Septembre pitch.

He made reference to the injury Aina sustained while playing for Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa which saw the player sidelined for a long-term.

“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.”

The Super Eagles will return to action on Tuesday, October 6, when they take on Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.