Super Eagles Squad Selection: Finidi George's Surprising Pick Over Ola Aina Revealed

• Finidi George recently unveiled the Super Eagles team for the clash against South Africa and Benin
• The list featured notable absentees, including Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina and William Troost-Ekong
• A report detailing the reason why Finidi opted against selecting Aina for the crunch fixtures has surfaced

The squad list released by coach Finidi George for the crucial FIFA World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic continues to ignite controversy across Nigeria’s football community.

While the list features some commendable new additions and the return of goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, it is the absence of several key players that has caused a significant uproar among fans of the national team.

Notably, vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and Ola Aina, who both starred in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, are omitted from the list. Their exclusion from Finidi’s squad has fueled intense discussions and debates.

Finidi reportedly lists Troost-Ekong, Boniface in Super Eagles squad

Football

However, amid the swirling conversations regarding the team selection, a report has surfaced detailing the reasons behind Aina’s omission from the squad.

Why Aina was left out of the Super Eagles team list

According to a report from media outlet OwnGoalNigeria, Nottingham Forest defender, Aina, is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury. This development has forced coach Finidi George to exclude him from the squad for the crucial World Cup qualifiers.

The 27-year-old also missed Nottingham Forest’s final Premier League fixture against Burnley. The report states that Aina has been playing through the latter stages of the EPL season with the aid of painkillers.

Aina is expected to use the upcoming summer break to fully recover, which led coach Finidi to select Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismail, in his place.

It's worth noting that the last time Aina played for the Super Eagles was during the AFCON final, a match he participated in despite nursing a hamstring injury.

Super Eagles injury crises deepen as Osimhen, Chukwueze pick knocks

Football

Key concerns from Finidi’s Super Eagles squad

Sports Brief in a previous report highlighted key concerns regarding coach Finidi's inaugural squad list for the fixtures against South Africa and Benin Republic.

The roster of the three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners featured some notable absentees, including AFCON MVP, William Troost-Ekong.