Nottingham Forest of England defender, Ola Aina has revealed that he has a personal dream of playing for the Super Eagles at next year’s FIFA World Cup in the United States of America, Sports247 reports.
Although the Eagles’ chances of qualifying appear slim, as they head into the last two rounds of matches in the qualifiers placed fourth on their group’s table, Aina is staying optimistic till the end.
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The former Chelsea, Hull City and Fulham of England right-full-back, who also had two stints with AS Torino of Italy, admitted that the task ahead is tough, but declared further that it is achievable.
Aina, who has 46 caps with Nigeria, affirmed: “We have four more matches to play, and we have to win them all. I think we can do it. Our team’s crazy (about qualifying) and we just have to go there and win.”
The dark-skinned defender with a hair style of spikes, like high feathers, added that memories of how they missed the last Mundial in Qatar are already spurring the Eagles towards picking a ticket to the first World Cup that will be co-hosted by three countries.
While Canada, USA and Mexico will be the host countries, Aina disclosed that his biggest desire is to play for Nigeria in God’s Own Country.
“Obviously, in 2022, we didn’t qualify. So, this 2026 edition, I’m putting all my energy into it.
“Personally, I need to work harder because, if not, my World Cup dream would be over.
This one is special because it’s in the States, and I need to be there,” 28-year-old Aina affirmed.
He will now aim to help the Eagles defeat Rwanda at home and South Africa away in September, then silence their hosts in Lesotho and beat visiting Benin Republic to wrap up the race in October.
