Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe has revealed that concerns over the poor playing surface in Bissau influenced the decision to leave Ola Aina out of Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Nottingham Forest defender returned to the Super Eagles squad this month but remained on the bench throughout Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Estádio 24 de Setembro.
Birmingham City defender Bright Osayi-Samuel was preferred at right-back, but he struggled to deal with Guinea-Bissau captain Mama Baldé, whose pace and movement caused problems for the Nigerian defence.
Efoghe explained that Aina’s previous injury experience on a poor pitch was a major factor in the decision not to risk him against the Djurtus.
The defender suffered a hamstring injury during Nigeria’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein in September 2025.
The injury kept Aina out for several months and also affected his chances of featuring at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking on News Central TV, Efoghe drew a comparison between the pitch in Bissau and the surface where Aina previously sustained his injury.
“They are very similar. You wonder why Ola Aina could not play the game yesterday. It is a physiological thing,” Efoghe said.
“Remember, it was on a bad pitch against South Africa that Ola Aina picked up an injury that took him out of football for almost one year.”
Nigeria eventually suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, leaving the Super Eagles with three points from their opening two matches in the AFCON qualifying campaign.
The result has increased the pressure on Eric Chelle’s side ahead of the next round of fixtures, with the Super Eagles expected to regroup when the qualifiers resume in November.