Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has voiced his deep desire to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Nigeria before the end of his international career, saying he wants to leave a legacy with the national team.
Aina, who played a key role in Nigeria’s run to the final in the last AFCON tournament, admitted that falling short of the title was painful and has only strengthened his motivation to succeed in future competitions.
“It was painful not to have won,” Aina said in a recent interview. “I don’t have a lot of years left in the game, and I would love to be able to say I won something with Nigeria. That would mean everything to me.”
The 27-year-old defender, known for his versatility and work ethic, emphasized that he remains fully committed to the national cause and believes that the Super Eagles have the talent and spirit to win major honors.
“We have a fantastic group of players. Everyone wants to win, and I believe that with the right mindset, we can achieve something great. We owe it to ourselves and to the country.”
Nigeria has already secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The tournament will take place across six cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, Fes, and Tangier.
As preparations continue for the upcoming tournament, Aina’s leadership and hunger for success could prove vital for a Super Eagles side aiming to return to the top of African football.
The Super Eagles recently finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition, held between January and February in Ivory Coast.
The team, managed by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final, marking Nigeria’s fifth agonising defeat in an AFCON final since their first participation in 1963. They have also finished third on eight occasions.
Nigeria’s three AFCON titles were won on home soil in 1980, in Tunisia in 1994, and in South Africa in 2013.
With the next AFCON on the horizon, Aina and his teammates will be aiming to add a fourth title to Nigeria’s illustrious football history.
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