Ola Aina’s sudden departure from the Super Eagles camp has raised questions about his fitness as the defender returned to Nottingham Forest ahead of Nigeria’s inconsequential AFCON qualifier against Rwanda.

The incident unfolded shortly after a video surfaced showing Aina interacting with teammates Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey. In the clip, recorded by Alex Iwobi en route to the Super Eagles camp, Aina could be heard saying, “I am not doing well, sir. I am not doing fine.” This comment quickly fueled speculation about a possible injury.

Despite his apparent discomfort, Aina had delivered a stellar performance in Nigeria’s recent encounter with Benin Republic. Operating on the right flank, the former Torino defender impressed with his dribbling and defensive efforts, even drawing a foul in a standout moment of skill.

With Nigeria’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations already secured—thanks to Victor Osimhen’s late equalizer against Benin—the match against Rwanda holds little significance. However, Aina’s absence leaves a gap in the squad. Nasarawa United’s Victor Collins is expected to seize the opportunity as his replacement.

While the rest of the Super Eagles team returned to Nigeria to prepare for Monday’s clash, Aina’s focus has shifted back to his Premier League commitments with Nottingham Forest, where fans will be eager to hear updates on his condition.