Eguavoen shares message he received from Nottingham Forest boss about Aina, justifies Lookman's release

Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has justified the release of Ola Aina and Ademola Lookman ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Rwanda tomorrow at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Aina was released from the squad after the clash with Benin last Thursday at Nottingham Forest's request.

There are also genuine concerns about the fitness of the Nottingham Forest fullback as he was attended to by the national team physios on the sidelines after his substitution.

The 28-year-old has started all the qualification games so far and his absence for tomorrow's tie with the Wasps could hand Bright Osayi-Samuel his first start in the qualification series.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Rwanda, Eguavoen revealed that there was a prior agreement with Nottingham Forest to release Aina if Nigeria secured qualification after the clash with Benin

"You know relationship is something that is key. Prior our game in Côte d'Ivoire against Benin, I had a word with an official from Nottingham Forest and after that I got a message from Nuno the manager of Forest as well pleading if we can release Ola Aina because they are playing Arsenal next weekend.

" I said okay, we have a deal, once we are able to get the result in Côte d'Ivoire, we will keep that relationship.

"We have got other players that we think can also play, so based on that we want tino keep relationship."

Aina is one of the first names on Nuno Espírito Santo's teamsheet, and he is expected to play a role when they face Arsenal at the Emirates if fully fit.

Similarly, Lookman has also been excused from participating in Monday's game as he is struggling with his fitness.

Eguavoen has confirmed that the 2024 Ballon d'Or nominee is not fully fit and was granted leave as a result.

"Ademola Lookman is slightly hurt. We have good relationship and then understanding as well, based on that he was released.

"Because he said he can't play at a hundred percent, he can also play at seventy percent, he pleaded. I am the only one that can excuse him, if I want him to stay, he will stay but we have to keep the relationship going, so I allowed him."

Lookman has two goals in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers, which is the joint-highest in the Super Eagles squad, and his release comes as no surprise as qualification has already been secured.

Nigeria will now be without three key players for the final qualification game with Stanley Nwabali also granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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