The list of players called up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the 2026 world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic was made public by the coach of the team Finidi George yesterday.
A total of 25 players were picked from the 35 players who were sent preliminary invitation for both games, but one notable omission noticed by all is Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina.
Aina had a spectacular showing at the AFCON, where Nigeria went all the way to the final before losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire. Finidi was the assistant to then coach Jose Peseiro, hence his decision to leave out the defender has raised a lot of concerns.
Remo Stars right back Sadiq Ismael was picked in his place for both games, which are very crucial to the chances of the team qualifying for the world cup as they are presently third in their group behind leaders Rwanda and second place South Africa.
” I believe the coach will explain the situation better but Aina is presently injured, the player told the technical crew that he wants to focus on his recovery. That is why he is not in the team, you can go and check he said two weeks ago or so that he is using pain killers to play which is very delicate”, a source close to the coach told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
” Sadiq has been monitored extensively before this call up came. Hopefully he will make the best of this opportunity to learn and grow”.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
