Ola Aina undergoes successful hamstring surgery, targets December’s Afcon return

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria defender Ola Aina has successfully undergone surgery following the hamstring injury he sustained during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

The Nottingham Forest full-back, renowned for his versatility on both flanks, is now set for a spell of at least three months on the sidelines, with his comeback projected for December 2025.

His return will be closely watched as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the fast-approaching Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

At 28, Aina has become a cornerstone for both club and country. Since his switch from Torino in 2023, he has been a key figure for Nottingham Forest, bringing stability, defensive resilience, and attacking thrust to Steve Cooper’s backline.

His absence represents a significant setback for the Premier League side as they seek consistency this season.

For Nigeria, head coach José Peseiro faces the challenge of reshuffling his defensive setup ahead of AFCON.

Aina’s experience, composure, and ability to adapt across multiple defensive positions have made him one of the most trusted names in the Eagles’ backline.

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Fondly called “Mr Lulu” by fans, the former Chelsea academy product has accumulated over 40 international caps since making his debut in 2017.

He was a standout performer at the 2019 AFCON, where Nigeria finished third, and remains a fan favourite for his tireless work rate and attacking contributions from deep.

Support has poured in from both Nottingham Forest and Nigerian supporters, with many taking to social media to wish him a swift recovery.

“Wishing you a smooth and strong recovery, Mr Lulu! The setback is only temporary, we can’t wait to see you back on the pitch, stronger than ever,” read one message from a fan.

If his rehabilitation goes according to plan, Aina could be fully fit in time to play a crucial role at AFCON 2025, where Nigeria will be chasing a fourth continental crown.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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