Nigeria defender Ola Aina considering quitting international football over neglect

Nigeria defender Ola Aina is contemplating quitting the Super Eagles over neglect by the Nigeria Football Federation following an injury setback.

The 29-year-old right-back, who plies his trade for Nottingham Forest has been out of action since September after picking up an injury while in action for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier against South Africa, where both teams shared the spoils.

In his absence, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to book qualification to the global showpiece to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico, while Nottingham Forest continues to struggle in the Premier League this season.

Since the setback, the enterprising full-back has missed a combined 18 matches for club and country.

Just recently, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau visited Ola Aina in England, where the defender expressed his disappointment in the football governing body for abandoning him.

According to SCORENigeria sources, the enterprising defender is seriously considering quitting the Nigeria national team.

“Ola (Aina) is seriously considering quitting the Super Eagles. He was far from happy when he was abandoned after he got injured playing for the Super Eagles.

“He confronted the NFF president on this, clearly disappointed with how he was left on his own even though he was injured on national service.”

Ola Aina was deeply hurt that he was abandoned after the injury setback in Bloemfontein, prompting a pay strike during the 2026 World Cup playoff against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco early this month.

Per sources, the strike action in the playoff match prompted the Nigeria football leader to embark on a fence-mending visit to Ola Aina at his base in England.

Meanwhile, it is yet to be known whether the visit has pacified Aina to drop the idea of turning his back on the Super Eagles.