Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest’s versatile defender, Ola Aina, has affirmed that he holds no regrets about his decision to represent Nigeria over England in international football.
The 26-year-old footballer, known for his adaptability as a right or left back, believes he made the right choice and is grateful for how his international career has unfolded.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Ola Aina rose through Chelsea’s renowned Cobham academy and initially represented England at various youth levels until the age of nineteen. At that point, he faced a pivotal decision when approached by Nigeria, inviting him to switch allegiance to the Super Eagles.
Aina ultimately chose to represent Nigeria and has since become a regular fixture in the Super Eagles’ lineup, earning the adoration of fans. He has formed a formidable partnership with in-form Nottingham striker, Taiwo Awoniyi.
Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Aina shed light on the reasons behind his decision to pick Nigeria over England. He explained that as he turned 18 or 19, he noticed a decline in his frequency of call-ups to the England youth setup.
Despite training more and being part of the Chelsea first team, he wasn’t getting enough playing time. This situation prompted him to consider other options.
At that juncture, the Nigerian national team extended an invitation, and it was for the senior team, providing him with a valuable opportunity. Aina stated, “I just thought I wasn’t going to get called up anymore. At the time, the Nigeria national team called me, and it was the first team as well, so it was a good opportunity for me. I just felt it was right.”
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Ola Aina expressed his pride in wearing the Nigerian jersey and emphasized that he has no regrets about his decision. He has accumulated a significant number of caps and believes that the only direction for his international career is upward.
Looking ahead, Ola Aina, alongside Taiwo Awoniyi, is eager to contribute to the Super Eagles’ quest for success.
They have an opportunity to vie for their first senior team trophy at the 2024 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, and Aina is hopeful of an even more exciting future with the Nigerian national team.
Aina’s journey from England’s youth teams to becoming a mainstay for the Super Eagles serves as a testament to his commitment to representing Nigeria and his belief that he made the right choice in the pursuit of his international football career.
