Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has earned some praise for his performance for Nigeria on Sunday. He played as they thrashed Sao Tome and Principe 6-0, with Taiwo Awoniyi getting on the score sheet.
It was the inclusion of Aina in the starting eleven that perhaps caught the eye. He started the game in a more familiar right-back spot after beginning the season playing left-back for Forest.
Aina signed for the Reds on a free transfer after leaving Torino in the summer. He made the move back to England having started his career coming through the youth ranks at Chelsea.
It’s been a useful start to the season for Aina. He’s played in three of the four league games that Forest have played and on Sunday he earned some praise for his efforts in the Nigeria team.
Own Goal Nigeria gave him a 7/10 for his performance and wrote: “Looked really comfortable on the ball and moved the ball confidently. He has really given the coach a lot to ponder when Bright Osayi-Samuel returns for the World Cup qualifiers.”
Forest defender Aina praised for Nigeria performance
At 26-years-old, the versatile performer looks like a decent piece of business from a Forest perspective. On a free, he already looks like a great signing and he’s now producing the goods on the international stage.
Aina did really well at the weekend and the national media now think he has a chance of keeping his place. Osayi-Samuel will be back for the next round of matches but there is now plenty of food for thought.
Forest did well to get a deal for Aina over the line. It’s hard to imagine other clubs not being interested and his versatility could come to good use over the course of the season.
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