Former England youth international Ola Aina won’t be making his senior national team debut for Nigeria when they take on Cameroon today in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.
Aina has been in the camp of the Super Eagles ahead of the game against Cameroon in Uyo, despite his international clearance which will make him eligible for Nigeria still pending.
As revealed by coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr his clearance is currently been held up by a document demanded by FIFA before his switch can be made official.
FIFA wants the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to communicate to them in writing confirming Aina is a Nigerian before he can be cleared to play for Nigeria against Cameroon.
However the letter from the FGN didn’t get to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on time, hence they couldn’t forward to FIFA which means time wasn’t enough for the Players Status Committee of FIFA to sanction his switch.
The NFF, Rohr and Aina are however hopeful that he will be cleared before the return leg tie against Cameroon on Monday in Yaounde, leaving the coach with no option than to stick with Shehu Abdullahi at right back.
Osas Mahawi
