Nigeria defender Ola Aina has expressed readiness to feature at the FIFA World Cup next year, after missing out on the last two editions.
The Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the last two tournaments, and are in danger of missing the competition for a third consecutive time.
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The three-time African champions sit fourth in Group C of qualifying with just seven points from their first six games, six points behind South Africa in first place.
They must win their remaining four matches and hope that results favor them elsewhere in their quest to secure a return to the showpiece event.
Aina, who made his Super Eagles debut in 2017, is yet to play in the World Cup after being left out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad by former coach Gernot Rohr.
The former Torino right back, has however pledged his allegiance to the country, revealing his desire to ensure Nigeria secures qualification.
“I got shenked in 2018. That manager (Gernot Rohr) shenked me, I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish,” Aina said.
“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”, he continued.
Nigeria must win both of their qualifying matches in September to reignite their campaign, starting with a home match against Rwanda, before making the trip to face South Africa.
The qualifying campaign concludes in October, with two important fixtures, away at Lesotho and a home game against the Republic of Benin.
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