Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has been named in the African Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament – and Nuno Espirito Santo must not make him integral.
The news has been announced today that Aina has been named as the best right-back at the tournament for his efforts with Nigeria.
Forest defender Aina helped his country reach the final, before losing to the host nation Ivory Coast on Sunday.
Now, he’s been named as the right-back in the official Team of the Tournament and Forest can’t get him back soon enough.
Forest star Aina has been sorely missed
This is wonderful news and it showcases that on the whole, the player has been in fine form on the international stage.
Now, however, Forest will be itching to get him back and Espirito Santo has to make him integral.
The Reds can’t stop conceding goals and haven’t won since Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare all headed off to the AFCON.
Aina played for Forest in the 3-1 win over Newcastle and the 2-1 victory over Manchester United at the end of last year.
Interestingly, Forest have won five games this season and Aina has been in the starting eleven for four of them – which speaks volumes.
Aina has operated on the right and left of a back four, whilst he can also play as a wing-back if Espirito Santo fancied him in that role.
Aina has to play as Espirito Santo searches for win
There are lots of issues for Forest to deal with at the moment and one of the main concerns is the amount of goals being conceded.
Aina has been a steady influence wherever he has played for Forest and he gets forward as well as he defends.
The 27-year-old has proved a very shrewd signing on a free transfer for Forest and he’s made 14 appearances in total this season.
Right-back could be the position for Aina at the moment – with Gonzalo Montiel currently out injured.
Serge Aurier has departed and perhaps the Nigerian can compete with Neco Williams for the spot at right-back.
Aina is one player that has proved himself already at Forest and clearly, he’s going to come back to the club determined to get his place back.
Getting in the Team of the Tournament will do his confidence the world of good and now Espirito Santo must utilise for the remainder of the season.
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