SUPER Eagles defender, Ola Aina, has been hailed for his extraordinary courage and commitment after it was revealed that he played the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Ivory Coast with a serious hamstring injury.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey made the revelation on the latest episode of The Bassey and the Iwobi Show, where they reflected on Nigeria’s AFCON campaign and the sacrifices made by several players.
“For those that 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,” Iwobi said. “So many people sacrificed a lot for that AFCON, and he led by example.”
Bassey echoed the praise, describing Aina’s display as the epitome of patriotism.
“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,” he said.
“The fans were incredible drums, guitars, painted bodies. It felt like a concert. Even with all that pressure, Ola kept going. That’s leadership.”
The duo recalled the camaraderie and humour in the Super Eagles camp during the tournament, but agreed that Aina’s resilience in the final against the hosts stood out as a defining moment.
“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 added.
It will be recalled that on February 11, 2024, Aina, one of Nigeria’s most reliable performers throughout the competition, struggled to contain Ivorian winger Simon Adingra, who assisted both goals as Ivory Coast came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
Despite the defeat, Aina’s bravery to play through a serious injury has now become a rallying story of sacrifice, determination, and national pride for the Super Eagles.
