Ola Aina has criticised former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr for leaving him out of Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Rohr, now in charge of Benin Republic’s Cheetahs, was the manager who handed Aina his Nigeria debut in 2017. Despite that early faith, Aina did not make the final 23-man list for Russia, a decision that still stings years later.
Speaking on the exclusion, Aina expressed his frustration, noting how eager he was to represent Nigeria on the biggest stage. He revealed that the omission came as a shock after being involved in the qualifiers and building chemistry with the team.
While Aina has since gone on to feature prominently for Nigeria, including appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations, the World Cup snub remains a sore point in his international journey. The Torino defender made it clear that such setbacks have fuelled his determination to prove himself whenever called upon.
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Editorial
We understand Ola Aina’s frustration, and we share his sentiment that being cut from the 2018 World Cup squad was a harsh blow. When a player has contributed in qualifiers and integrated with the team, omission at the final hurdle feels like betrayal of trust. Decisions like these can dent confidence and alter career trajectories.
We believe national team managers must communicate clearly and transparently. Players deserve honest explanations, especially when they’ve shown commitment to the badge. Silence or vague reasoning only breeds resentment and erodes trust between management and players.
Rohr’s decision, though perhaps tactical, raises questions about consistency. If Aina was good enough for qualifying campaigns, why not the main event? While squad balance is crucial, merit and loyalty should matter equally. We admire Aina’s response over the years. He didn’t retreat into bitterness he fought harder, evolving into a dependable figure for Nigeria at subsequent tournaments. That resilience is the hallmark of a true professional.
This episode is a reminder that every selection choice echoes beyond one tournament. It shapes careers, confidence, and even national unity. Coaches must weigh those consequences carefully, because trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.
Did You Know?
- Ola Aina started his career at Chelsea’s academy and won two FA Youth Cups and two UEFA Youth League titles.
- He switched international allegiance from England to Nigeria in 2017, having played for England’s youth teams.
- Aina was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing key assists.
- Gernot Rohr managed Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, taking them to the 2018 World Cup and 2019 AFCON.
- The 2018 FIFA World Cup was Nigeria’s sixth appearance at the tournament, and they were drawn in a group with Argentina, Iceland, and Croatia.
