Ola Aina advances with Forest as 2 Super Eagles stars crash out of Europa League

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina played an important role as Nottingham Forest booked their place in the Europa League Round of 16, even though they lost 2-1 at home to Fenerbahçe on Thursday night, Afrik-Foot reports.

Forest travelled into the second leg with a strong 3-0 advantage from their impressive victory in Istanbul. But the return match quickly became tense when Fenerbahçe forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored twice, once before halftime and again shortly after the break, raising hopes of a dramatic comeback.

Super Eagles Ola Aina during the Premier league football match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool FC at the City Ground in Nottingham — Super Eagles star Ola Aina. Photo by IMAGO

Aina was introduced at halftime and immediately helped calm the situation. The Nigerian full-back provided the assist for Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose goal restored Forest’s control of the tie.

That strike effectively ended Fenerbahçe’s challenge, allowing Forest to progress with a comfortable 4-2 aggregate victory despite losing the match itself.

Ola Aina in action for Nottingham Forest. Photo by IMAGO

Elsewhere, Yusuf Bamidele also impressed in Europe. The Nigerian attacker assisted the decisive second goal as Ferencvárosi TC defeated Ludogorets Razgrad 2-0 at the Groupama Arena.

The result overturned a first-leg defeat and secured a 3-2 aggregate win, sending Ferencváros into the last 16.

Europa League: Super Eagles stars Iheanacho, Lawal bow out

It was not a perfect night for Nigerian players across Europe.

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Celtic FC were eliminated despite earning a brave 1-0 away win against VfB Stuttgart.

Kelechi Iheanacho in action for Celtic. Photo by IMAGO

Iheanacho came on as a 78th-minute substitute, but the Scottish champions could not recover from their heavy 4-1 first-leg defeat, allowing Stuttgart to advance on aggregate.

Another Nigerian international, Salim Fargo Lawal, also saw his Europa League journey end. His side Viktoria Plzeň lost on penalties to Panathinaikos after a 1-1 draw forced a shootout.

Salim Fago Lawal plays during the UEFA Europa League play-offs between Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen at Oaka Stadium in Athens, Greece. Photo by IMAGO

Lawal completed all 120 minutes, but the Czech club could not finish the job at home. Fellow Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers missed the game due to injury.

There was better news in Belgium, where Nigerian winger Yira Sor scored a key goal for KRC Genk during a dramatic tie against Dinamo Zagreb.

Sor’s second-half strike cancelled an earlier Zagreb goal, but late drama forced extra time. Genk eventually sealed qualification thanks to extra-time goals that secured a 6-4 aggregate victory.