Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe has shed light on why Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina did not feature in Nigeria's 3-0 defeat to Guinea Bissau in Tuesday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter.
Aina, who returned to the Super Eagles squad this month, was an unused substitute as Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel started at right-back against the Djurtus.
Osayi-Samuel endured a difficult evening as he struggled to contain Guinea Bissau captain Mama Baldé, who used his pace and skill to cause problems for the Nigerian defence.
Speaking after the match, Efoghe attributed Aina's absence to a fitness-related concern, while also expressing concerns over the poor condition of the Stade du 24 Septembre pitch.
He explained that the decision was influenced by Aina's previous experience at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, where he sustained an injury that kept him out of action for several months.
"They are very similar. You wonder why Ola Aina could not play the game yesterday, it is a physiological thing," Efoghe told News Central TV.
"Remember, it was on a bad pitch against South Africa that Ola Aina picked up an injury that took him out of football for almost one year."
Efoghe also called for improved standards in African football, urging stakeholders to address issues surrounding playing conditions across the continent.
"We should stop all these dark arts in African football. If we want the game to progress on the continent we should do things right," he added.
Aina sustained the injury in the first half of the Super Eagles' crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against South Africa.
The Super Eagles will now look to put the disappointing result behind them when they face Russia in an international friendly scheduled for October 6.
Adeyemi Adewale
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