Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was in superb form for Nottingham Forest in a shock win against Liverpool at Anfield.
Nigeria Super Eagles defender Ola Aina put in an impressive performance to help Nottingham Forest secure a historic 1-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield, their first win at the iconic stadium in 55 years.
The Super Eagles defender's outstanding display against Liverpool, however, drew unexpected criticism from a disgruntled Nigerian football fan and bettor.
19:54 - 14.09.2024
Galatasaray vs Rizespor: Nigeria's Osimhen celebrates debut with assist as five-star Lions win big
Victor Osimhen celebrated his Galatasaray debut with an assist as the Lions dismantled Rizespor at home in Turkey.
PAY ATTENTION: Join the BETTING PROF Telegram channel now
Aina was instrumental in Forest's resolute defensive effort, contributing significantly to the clean sheet that underpinned their surprising triumph.
The match, characterised by standout performances from players with points to prove, saw Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi combine for the decisive goal in the 72nd minute against Arne Slot's Liverpool side.
The versatile defender's statistics tell the story of his dominant performance:
Most successful dribbles (2/2, 100%)
Highest passing accuracy (100%)
Perfect long balls (3/3, 100%)
Flawless in tackles (3/3 won)
4 clearances
7 ball recoveries
6 ground duels won
These numbers underscore why Chelsea once held Aina in high regard during his time with the London club.
However, not everyone was celebrating Aina's masterclass. A Nigerian football fan, presumably having bet on a Liverpool victory, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration:
"Ola Aina you took away food from the mouth of your fellow Nigerian," the user posted, accusing the defender of costing him a winning bet.
This incident highlights the complex relationship between football, betting, and fan expectations and the pressures players face, not just from opponents and their supporters, but sometimes from unexpected quarters.
Despite the criticism, Aina's performance will undoubtedly be remembered as a key factor in Forest's historic win.
The victory at Anfield marks a huge moment in Forest's season and serves as a key reminder of Aina's quality and importance to the team.