Super Eagles: Does Ola Aina return mean Nigeria are AFCON title-worthy?

Ola Aina has handed the Super Eagles an important boost as the countdown to AFCON 2025 enters its final stretch. The Nottingham Forest defender has resumed controlled outdoor work after nearly three months on the sidelines, marking his first real stride toward a full return since undergoing hamstring surgery in September.

His recovery has been deliberate and steady, and his latest progress arrives at a moment when Nigeria are watching every injury update with heightened interest.

Forest have been careful with his rehabilitation, managing his workload closely since the operation. Aina’s blend of athleticism, timing and versatility has been missing from their structure, and his return to grass work is seen as a positive sign internally. Before their league trip to Anfield to face Liverpool this weekend, Sean Dyche confirmed the Chelsea Academy product is advancing well, continuing his sessions under medical and performance staff supervision while the club waits for further benchmarks to be cleared.

Nigeria, meanwhile, have monitored the situation quietly, aware that any hope of having Aina for Morocco depends on Forest’s medical clearance. Early projections indicate he could be ready sometime between December and early 2026, but nothing is guaranteed yet. 

Is defence the key to making Super Eagles AFCON 2025 favourites?

The 29-year-old’s return naturally sparks discussion about what Nigeria’s ideal backline could look like heading into the tournament. His presence alongside Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi offers a more modern, mobile defensive unit, one capable of defending high, recovering quickly and supporting Chelle’s pressing scheme.

The quartet also brings balance in possession, with each profile complementing the next in ways the current setup sometimes struggles to replicate.

This shift also highlights the gradual transition the Super Eagles face. William Troost-Ekong and Semi Ajayi, both 32, have served the team for years, but the demands of Chelle’s system lean toward younger, more agile options. Neither defender lacks commitment or experience, but AFCON will likely require repeated high-intensity defensive actions, situations where athletic defenders like Aina and Bassey thrive naturally.

If Aina is passed fit, Nigeria can field a backline built around energy, pace and anticipation. It gives Chelle a version of the defence that mirrors the style he has pushed toward since his appointment, and one that may finally allow the Super Eagles to take the next step in their evolution ahead of the tournament in Morocco.