Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has identified Ola Aina as the most significant absentee for Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Speaking during a recent media interaction, the Fulham playmaker explained that the Nottingham Forest defender’s veteran presence and versatility have been missed by the squad.
Aina originally secured a spot in the provisional roster but failed to make the final 28-man selection due to persistent fitness concerns. Despite his absence, Iwobi emphasized that the team’s current right-back options have stepped up admirably to maintain defensive stability.
The Nottingham Forest star’s journey to the tournament was cut short by a lingering hamstring injury sustained in September during a 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa. While the 29-year-old has recently returned to Premier League action for the Tricky Trees, the three-month recovery period prevented him from joining the continental expedition. Iwobi, however, was quick to highlight the impressive performances of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ryan Alebiosu, noting that their contributions have helped the Super Eagles reach the semi-finals with minimal disruption to the backline.
“When it comes to Ola Aina, he’s a big miss. He’s a major figure both on and off the field, and we understand the high level of skill he brings. But at the same time, our right-backs, Bright and Ryan, have done such a good job, so it’s almost as if we haven’t missed him too much. Of course, Ola is a really good player, but at the same time, Bright is also really good, and so is Ryan. We have good right-backs and good defenders, which is a big advantage for Nigeria,” Iwobi stated during the press conference.
The former Arsenal man described Aina as one of his closest confidants in the sport, revealing that the defender remains an active supporter of the team from England. Aina’s pedigree as one of the standout performers from the 2023 edition remains fresh in the minds of Nigerian supporters, but Iwobi believes the current squad depth ensures that the Super Eagles remain a balanced unit. The team continues to communicate with the sidelined defender, who has been sending motivational messages as the squad prepares for their high-stakes semi-final clash against host nation Morocco in Rabat.
“Even though we’re missing one player, we still have good players covering a lot of different positions. Ola Aina is like one of my closest friends in football. I do miss him as well. He has been sending messages and keeping in contact. The most important thing right now is that he’s recovered and is back playing for his team. He’s also sending messages to us, saying he hopes we do well, so of course he’s missed, but he’s still with us in spirit,” Iwobi added.
As Nigeria aims for its fourth continental trophy, the tactical flexibility shown by the defensive unit has become a hallmark of Eric Chelle’s tenure. Bright Osayi-Samuel, in particular, earned widespread praise for his “man-of-the-match” performance in the 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, effectively filling the void left by Aina’s injury. With the semi-final against Morocco scheduled for tonight, the Super Eagles will rely on this collective resilience to navigate the hostile atmosphere and secure a place in Sunday’s grand finale.
About the Author
