Former Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has come under fresh criticism from Nigeria international Ola Aina, who has revisited the heartbreak of missing out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Rohr, now in charge of the Benin Republic national team, handed Aina his Super Eagles debut in 2017 during the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The versatile full-back made a late appearance as Nigeria sealed qualification with a 1-0 win over Zambia in Uyo.
Despite his contributions, Aina and midfielder Mikel Agu were the last players axed from Rohr’s provisional squad, as the German tactician settled on his final 23-man list for Russia 2018.
Aina had been battling for a spot in the left-back position alongside Elderson Echiejile and Bryan Idowu.
In a candid conversation on the @90sBabyShow, the Nottingham Forest defender didn’t hold back his frustration.
“I got shenked in 2018. That manager (Rohr) shenked me, I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” Aina said.
Having also featured in the ill-fated playoff against Ghana that ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Aina is now staring down the barrel of a third consecutive World Cup absence.
The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with just seven points from six matches, six points adrift of group leaders South Africa.
Determined to avoid another disappointment, Aina is laser-focused on helping Nigeria book a ticket to the tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Then obviously we didn’t qualify in 2022. So this 2026, I’m putting all my energy into it. I need to go because if not, I think my World Cup dream is over.
I’ll be too old and I’m not trying to get in other people’s place, and it’s in the US. I need to be there. There’s five (four) games left and we need to win all.”
“This 2026 World Cup, I need to be there, I think we can do it (Qualify).”
In September, Aina and his teammates will resume their qualification bid, hosting Rwanda in Uyo on matchday seven before a tricky away fixture against South Africa. Nigeria had earlier beaten Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali and shared the spoils with South Africa in a 1-1 draw in Uyo during the reverse fixtures.
