AFCON 2023: “It’s not an excuse” – Ola Aina downplays effect of heat on team performance

Ola Aina’s brilliant sidefooted volley in Nottingham Forest’s win over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won the club’s goal of the month award in November.

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest defender, Ola Aina, has refused to use the heat in Ivory Coast at an excuse for Nigeria’s performance against Equatorial Guinea, Soccernet.ng reports.

Iban Salvador opened the scoring for Juan Micha’s Spanish speaking side, before the CAF Player of the Year award recipient, Victor Osimhen, levelled the scores two minutes later.

Scuffed chances and lack of a clinical edge was the highlight of the day for Jose Peseiro’s men, and the Portuguese tactician mentioned that the game wasn’t easy for his team, considering the timing and the weather conditions.

Ola Aina, who played 83 minutes against Equatorial Guinea and came close to getting a goal himself, before he was taken off for Fernabache’s Bright Osayi-Samuel, has pointed out that the heat was not an excuse for how the Super Eagles performed at the Stade Olympique Ouattara.

Speaking with Soccernet.ng in an interview, the former Chelsea full-back admitted that the weather was humid, but wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

“The weather was hot, but okay. I think everyone knows how to deal with the heat here. Maybe we got tired towards the end of the game, but that’s normal. The heat is not an excuse,” the 27-year-old said.

Aina also added that the Super Eagles will do their best to be more clinical as they play against the hosts tomorrow afternoon, with the Ivory Coast faithful having the home advantage.