Nigeria and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has said the Super Eagles felt like they were “playing against destiny” when they faced Ivory Coast in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024).
Aina was ever-present in Jose Peseiro’s side as they went unbeaten from the group stage to the final, where they eventually lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast despite taking a first-half lead. The Super Eagles put their inconsistent pre-tournament performances behind them and surprised many with their impressive displays to set the AFCON alight
Having started the tournament on a slow note following a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria superbly recovered to win their next two matches against Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau.
The West Africans then defeated neighbours Cameroon in the Round of 16 and also eliminated Angola in the quarter-finals to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against South Africa, where they triumphed on penalties. However, they ultimately fell short in the final, with hosts Ivory Coast denying them a fourth continental crown.
Ola Aina says reaching AFCON final was progress for the Super Eagles
Aina was one of three Nigerian players who were named in the AFCON team of the tournament, alongside William Troost-Ekong and Ademola Lookman, and the Nottingham Forest wing-back believes reaching the final was progress for the Super Eagles.
The 27-year-old, however, still feels a bit bitter about failing to win the trophy, insisting some decisions from the match officials didn’t favour Nigeria. Aina expressed confidence in the Super Eagles doing better in subsequent tournaments, insisting the rebuilding of the national team is nearly complete.
“It felt like we were fighting against destiny. You could feel the weight of Ivory Coast against us. There were some decisions that could have gone our way but I’m not that kind of player – ultimately they did enough to beat us and fair play to them,” Aina told the Guardian.
“We’ve been building this team since the 2019 AFCON when we came third with a really young team. Getting to the final was a progression that showed we are nearly there.”
Aina not bothered by lack of Nottingham Forest contract extension
Aina has been capped 40 times by Nigeria and looks set to be the country’s first-choice right-back for the foreseeable future. At club level, though, it hasn’t been rosy for him and Nottingham Forest, who are currently involved in a relegation battle.
Forest have been limping in the Premier League and sit just one place above the relegation zone. Aina joined Forest in July 2023 on a one-year contract which is set to expire at the end of the season.
But despite being one of the most consistent players in Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, the Nigeria international is yet to be offered a contract extension. His future, therefore, remains uncertain with just two matches left, but the former Torino defender said he’s not really bothered and only wants to finish the season as strongly as possible.
“I am really enjoying my time here at Forest. I love it. It’s been great and they have welcomed me in with open arms. The club is fantastic and it’s a great experience playing at the City Ground,” Aina told The Guardian.
“The atmosphere is amazing and it feels good to be here. I just want to finish the season and I’m sure stuff will sort itself out. Right now the focus is just being in the Premier League next season.”
Aina focused on helping Nottingham Forest to survive relegation
Meanwhile, Aina is currently playing for his fourth club since parting ways with Chelsea in 2019. The 27-year-old had been with the Blues since he was eight years old, but decided to move on over a lack of first-team opportunities.
Having since had stints with top-flight clubs Torino, Fulham and now Nottingham Forest, the defender is keen to avoid relegation. Aina has already been relegated once – during his loan spell at Fulham in the 2020/21 season – and wants to help Forest avoid a similar fate.
The Nigeria international believes Forest have been very unlucky this season, having been blighted by injuries and also deducted four points for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but said every player in the locker room is focused on helping the club survive relegation.
“We’ve been very unlucky and I think some things could have been dealt with differently – that’s clear for everyone to see. But the way we are as a squad is that we will moan about it for a bit and then just move on,” Aina said in his interview with The Guardian.
“We never dwell on things. All we care about is getting on the pitch and performing well. With things not going our way, we have got closer together and want to fight for the badge and the club. Our fans can see that togetherness when we’re on the pitch. We have been relentless and won’t stop fighting until the end.”
Aina and Forest will face Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday, before wrapping up their Premier League season with an away fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor, and they need at least one win from their remaining two matches to stand any chance of beating the drop.
