Torino FC defender Ola Aina has revealed that it was far from an easy decision for him to choose to play for the Super Eagles instead of England, who he represented at age-group levels.
The former Chelsea defender was born in England to Nigerian parents, but opted to play for the Super Eagles at senior international level instead of The Three Lions of England.
“I think it wasn’t an easy decision for me because Nigeria came as at the time i wasn’t playing regularly for England,” said Aina who was answering questions via an Instagram live interview.
“England contacted and told me to just take my time and never rush into making a decision. They said it was better I took my time and leave the opportunity open.
“I didn’t choose Nigeria because it was easy for me, i chose to play for Nigeria after i had enough thinking time and i felt it was a right decision. I just felt convicted to play for Nigeria.”
The 23-year-old defender also said his best feeling with the Super Eagles is the fact there was never any form of division in the team.
“It’s really a good feeling the way Nigeria are incorporating the European Nigeria with the home-grown players and my best feeling is the fact that there was never any form of division in the team,” he said.
England-born Aina was named in Nigeria’s preliminary 30-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
However, he did not make the final 23.
He was later recalled into the squad and played a major role in the team’s qualification for AFCON 2019 staged in Egypt.
He played the Eagles opening match against tournament debutants Burundi, assisting the only goal of the match.
