Nottingham Forest’s versatile defender, Ola Aina, has reaffirmed his satisfaction with choosing to represent the Super Eagles of Nigeria over England in international football, MySportDab reports.
The 26-year-old, capable of playing as a right or left back, believes he made the right decision and is appreciative of the course his international career has taken.
Born in England to Nigerian parents, Ola Aina progressed through Chelsea’s renowned Cobham academy and initially wore the Three Lions’ colors at various youth levels until he reached the age of nineteen.
At that juncture, Nigeria extended an invitation, offering him the chance to switch allegiances to the Super Eagles.
Aina ultimately opted to wear the green and white of Nigeria and has since become a mainstay in the Super Eagles’ lineup, endearing himself to fans.
His partnership with Nottingham’s in-form striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has been particularly notable.
Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Aina shed light on his decision to choose Nigeria over England.
He explained that around the ages of 18 or 19, he observed a decline in his frequency of call-ups to the England youth setup.
Despite intensifying his training and being part of Chelsea’s first team, playing time was elusive. This prompted him to consider other options.
When Nigeria’s senior national team came calling, Aina seized the opportunity, viewing it as the right move. He stated, That he just thought he 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.
Aina expressed his pride in representing Nigeria and emphasized that he harbors no regrets about his choice. Accumulating a significant number of caps, he believes that his international career is on an upward trajectory.
Looking ahead, Ola Aina, alongside Taiwo Awoniyi, eagerly anticipates contributing to the Super Eagles’ pursuit of success.
The upcoming 2024 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast presents them with an opportunity to vie for their first senior team trophy. Aina is hopeful for an even brighter future with the Nigerian national team.
Aina’s transition from England’s youth setup to a pivotal role with the Super Eagles underscores his commitment to representing Nigeria and his conviction that he made the correct decision in advancing his international football career.
