The World Shouldn’t See AFCON As A Small Tournament – Super Eagles Defender Ola Aina

Torino and Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Ola Aina says his intention is to do well at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in what is his second major tournament with the senior national team of Nigeria.

The former England youth international failed to make the cut for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but did play for the Super Eagles at the 2019 AFCON where they won bronze.

Speaking on the mood of the Nigerian team ahead of the start of the tournament, he praised the atmosphere in the camp saying his personal goal is to do well at the tournament for the good of the team.

“It’s very good, I love the atmosphere. We are very close together. We are like a family which is very important.”

“I want to play well for the team and put up good performances that will help the squad”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com

On the issue of the disrespect shown to the Africa Cup of Nations as a tournament by top European teams, Aina said it’s unfair to see the tournament as a small tournament.

“I said to my roommate (Alex Iwobi) that when you come here, you realise what privilege is to play at this tournament. The magnitude of this competition is massive. I will never feel AFCON is a small tournament, the world shouldn’t see it like that.”