Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up on why team-mate Ola Aina struggled against the Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra in the final of the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
On February 11, 2024, Aina, who had been one of the AFCON’s most consistent performers, had a difficult moment playing against Adingra.
The Nottingham Forest defender failed to keep out Adingra as the winger provided the assist for both goals as the Ivory Coast overturned a deficit to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
However, Iwobi has now revealed that Aina’s poor display in the AFCON final was because of an injury.
“For those that don’t know, I am sure Ola has already put it out there in many different podcasts and interviews,” Iwobi said on Episode 2 of The Bassey and Iwobi Show.
“He played with a grade 2c hamstring injury — I don’t know how.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria has already qualified for the 2025 AFCON taking place in Morocco and will hope to win it this time around.
AFCON: Why Ola Aina struggled against Ivory Coast’s Adingra in final – Iwobi opens up