Soccer
Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, alongside Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche. Copyright: Imago
Two-time UEFA Champions League winners Nottingham Forest had their training session at the City Ground this afternoon, away from Wilford Lane, Soccernet.ng reports.
While Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi was present at the City Ground, Ola Aina wasn’t in action, and this raised a few eyebrows.
With no domestic action this weekend, the club opted to celebrate Easter in front of their fans with the training, after Awoniyi and Aina saw the club host a Nigerian-themed lunch a few days ago.
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Forest have clarified that Aina was missing from the team training, but was involved in some personal recovery away from the City Ground.
“Matz Sels and Elliot Anderson are resting following their recent international commitments, while Ola Aina and Omari Hutchinson are continuing with individual training programmes and will not be present with the group today,” the club revealed on their official X page.
Aina wasn’t called up to the Nigerian National team during the March International break, choosing to focus on his club’s ambition to stay in the league, as Blackburn’s Ryan Alebiosu did.
Squad update. ℹ️
Matz Sels and Elliot Anderson are resting following their recent international commitments, while Ola Aina and Omari Hutchinson are continuing with individual training programmes and will not be present with the group today. pic.twitter.com/MKMToHJLIX
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) April 4, 2026
Bright Osayi-Samuel played all 180 minutes in the game against Iran and Jordan, continuing the brilliant form that saw him play six of seven AFCON 2025 fixtures for Eric Chelle’s men while Aina was recovering from a hamstring problem.
Nottingham Forest are currently 16th on the English Premier League table, three points above the relegation spots. They’re still competing in Europe and will face FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League’s quarter-final.
Adefolahan Guerreiro
Adefolahan is a multilingual sports journalist and football writer whose work spans outlets like Soccernet Nigeria, Pure Football UK, and Royalsportz.
With a sharp eye for detail and a background in college sports, he tells the African football story with depth, flair, and global perspective.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he brings a cross-cultural voice to his coverage, blending insight with accessibility for readers around the world.
His portfolio includes interviews with top Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, Sikiru Alimi, Sodiq Ismaila, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.
A devoted Borussia Dortmund fan, Adefolahan thrives on the emotion and rhythm of the beautiful game. Away from work, he’s a sci-fi enthusiast and series lover who enjoys exploring how sport, storytelling, and culture collide.
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