Ola Aina established himself as a regular fixture in Gernot Rohr’s squad since he switched his allegiance to Nigeria, MySportDab reports.
Torino wing back Ola Aina has defended his decision of deciding on Nigeria over England for his international career.
The former Chelsea youngster stated the assurance he received from the Nigerian football authority made him ditch England.
Aina was born to Nigerian parents in London, and he played for England youth teams throughout all levels from Under-16 to U-20.
So made his debut outing for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier in opposition to Zambia in 2017.
Since then the defender has racked up 17 appearances, which include the 5 matches he played at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they finished third.
Ola Aina highlighted the factors behind his decision to switch allegiances after developing through the ranks in England.
“England was in no way going to give me a chance to play for the senior team, that’s the difference.
Nigeria gave me the pathway to play for their senior team,” Aina was quoted as saying in an Instagram Live interview by the Punch.
“I probably would have made it there at some point however Nigeria told me I can make it here now, it was a no-brainer.”
Liverpool Ovie Ejaria is the latest England player to commit his international future to Nigeria, following in the footsteps of Ola Aina and Alex Iwobi.
The Reading midfielder has submitted his paperwork to Fifa to approve the international switch and Aina has welcomed his decision to play for the Super Eagles.
“Yes, if you have the roots and from Nigeria, you need to be welcomed to play for Nigeria, no one should be felt like they are pushed aside,” he added.
In the three years he’s spent with the African nation, Ola Aina has made himself a versatile player who plays on both side of the defence of Gernot Rohr’s team.
Aina picked Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze when asked about the most challenging player he has faced in the Super Eagles.
“I would say Samuel Chukwueze, he is a tricky player even in training,” he said.
Aina is in his second season at Torino, after joining the Serie A club permanently from Chelsea last summer.
He played 20 league games for the Bull before the league was suspended indefinitely in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
