Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has openly voiced his ongoing annoyance and displeasure at being left out of Nigeria’s final roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, blaming then-head coach Gernot Rohr for the choice.
With his sights set squarely on the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the Nottingham Forest defender’s comments illustrate a difficult period in his international career.
Despite playing a crucial role in Nigeria’s 2018 tournament qualifying campaign, Aina was eventually excluded from Rohr’s final 23-man roster for the World Cup.
The Nottingham Forest full-back did not hold back his disappointment while candidly discussing the rejection in a recent interview on the @90sBabyShow podcast.
Aina said that he is desperate for the Super Eagles to qualify for next year’s tournament to be co-hosted by the three North American nations because he might never get the opportunity again.
“I got shenked in 2018. That manager (Rohr) shenked me, I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” Aina said Via the @90sBabyShow.
“Then obviously we didn’t qualify in 2022. So this 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it. I need to go because if not, I think my World Cup dream is over.
“I’ll be too old, and I’m not trying to get in other people’s place, and it’s in the US. I need to be there. There’s five (four) games left and we need to win all.”
“This 2026 World Cup, I need to be there, I think we can do it (qualify).” He noted.
