Nottingham Forest Defender Ola Aina Sidelined Three Months With Hamstring Injury

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is set to be sidelined for three months due to a hamstring injury sustained during Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa. The injury occurred early in the match, forcing him off within 10 minutes, and subsequent scans confirmed he will likely be out until December, posing a significant challenge for both Forest and the Nigerian national team. This absence is particularly impactful for Forest's new manager, Ange Postecoglou, who is beginning his tenure and will face a tough Premier League fixture against Arsenal without Aina. Despite Forest strengthening their full-back options with recent signings like Nicolo Savona and Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aina's injury leaves a crucial gap, as he had been a key player and recently committed his future to the club by signing a new contract. Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle also faces difficulties, as Aina's versatility and consistent performance have been vital to the team's World Cup qualification efforts. Alternatives such as Bright Osayi-Samuel and Zaidu Sanusi may be considered, but Aina's absence is a major setback for both club and country.