Ola Aina out of Nigeria’s AFCON squad as five first-time call-ups included | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina has been left out of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations squad. According to NY Times, the right-back is still recovering from a hamstring problem.

Aina, Nigeria’s first-choice right-back, suffered the injury in September’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa and required surgery.

His absence is a major setback as Benjamin Fredrick is out with a knee injury and captain William Troost-Ekong retired from international duty last week. With options short, head coach Eric Chelle has handed Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu a first call-up.

Alebiosu, 23, is one of five debutants alongside midfielders Usman Muhammed, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi, plus forward Salim Fago Lawal.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare, involved in the squad that lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo in last month’s CAF World Cup play-off final, has not been selected by Chelle.

Cyriel Dessers and Paul Onuachu have been recalled as alternatives to Victor Osimhen.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is another notable omission. The 26-year-old had appeared settled as back-up to Stanley Nwabali, holds 18 caps and was in the November squad. He has made eight appearances for Udinese this season, including Monday’s 2-1 defeat to Genoa.

Nigeria reached the AFCON 2023 final but lost to hosts Ivory Coast. Last month they failed to reach a second successive World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo. Their opening game at this year’s AFCON is against Tanzania on December 23.

Source: NY Times