Nottingham Forest coach Postecoglou laments Ola Aina absence

Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou has expressed disappointment over the long-term injury sustained by Nigerian defender Ola Aina.

Aina picked up a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with South Africa, where the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein. The fullback will be sidelined for months, leaving Forest without one of their key defensive options.

The injury required surgery, which the club confirmed went without issue, but the recovery and rehabilitation period is expected to be approximately three months ruling thwhich rules Aina out until early December.

Speaking on the matter, Postecoglou acknowledged the cost of international duty, stating that the club is suffering from the absence of the 27 year old.

“As a club, we often pay a price. We obviously lost Ola Aina to an international duty injury, and he is an important player for us. But the benefit of players participating in these kinds of competitions, playing in Europe and testing themselves in different environments against different types of players, allows them to grow in ways they wouldn’t otherwise. I am a big fan of continental competition, representative football, and international football, though I know the congested calendar makes it difficult.”

The impact of Aina’s long-term absence goes beyond the Premier League fixtures. Due to the multi-month layoff, Nottingham Forest was forced to omit the Nigerian from their UEFA Europa League squad, invoking a new UEFA rule that allows a club to replace a player ruled out for more than sixty days.

For the Super Eagles, the injury also comes at a crucial time, sidelining one of their most consistent performers ahead of vital World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic in October. Nigeria must win both matches to have any chance of remaining in the qualification picture.

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