Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has expressed his deep desire to play at the FIFA World Cup, admitting that missing out on previous editions has left him determined to seize what could be his final chance.
Speaking to Soccernet.ng, the Nottingham Forest full-back revealed his heartbreak over past exclusions and his commitment to giving everything in Nigeria’s remaining World Cup qualifiers.
“I got shenked in 2018. That manager [Gernot Rohr] shenked me – I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” Aina said bluntly. “Then obviously we didn’t qualify in 2022. So this 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it.”
Nigeria has not appeared at the World Cup since Russia 2018, where they were eliminated in the group stage after a late loss to Argentina. The team failed to qualify for Qatar 2022 after a painful away-goals exit to Ghana. Now, with the 2026 World Cup looming, the Super Eagles face an uphill battle once again.
Currently fourth in Group C, Nigeria trails leaders South Africa by six points with only four matches left. Aina, who turns 29 in October, understands the urgency: “If not, I think my World Cup dream is over. It’s in the US – I need to be there.”
Nigeria’s slim hopes could hinge on an ongoing eligibility case involving South Africa, which may result in a points deduction. Still, even with that lifeline, the Super Eagles must win all their remaining games and hope for favorable results elsewhere – a tall order for a team that has struggled for consistency.
