Ola Aina showed remarkable grit, pushing through injury, pain, and immense pressure to represent Nigeria in the AFCON final, according to teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.
On the latest episode of The Bassey and the Iwobi Show, the duo praised Aina’s determination, revealing that he played despite a grade 2C hamstring injury.
“For those who don’t know, Ola played with a grade 2C hamstring injury. I don’t know how he managed it, but he was still one of the best players in the tournament. So many people sacrificed a lot for AFCON, and he led by example,” Iwobi said.
Bassey shared similar thoughts, noting that even though Nigeria narrowly lost the final to the hosts, Aina’s dedication stood out.
“Even with that injury, he gave everything for the country. That’s why AFCON meant so much. You’re not just playing for a club, you’re carrying 240 million people on your shoulders,” Bassey said.
Iwobi described the stadium atmosphere as electric. “The fans were incredible—drums, guitars, painted bodies. It felt like a concert. Even with all that pressure, Ola kept going. That’s leadership,” he added.
The players also reflected on the team’s sacrifices, camaraderie, and lighter moments in camp, but Aina’s resilience in the final remained the defining memory.
“Ola has been around for years. He’s consistently hardworking and hilarious, but that final showed the professional side of him—how much he’s willing to put on the line for Nigeria,” Bassey said.
It’s worth recalling that on February 11, 2024, Aina, previously one of AFCON’s most reliable performers, faced challenges in the match against Adingra. The Nottingham Forest defender struggled to contain the winger, who set up both goals as Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
