{
  "id": 9440089,
  "title": "Aina ready for Eagles return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/aina-ready-for-eagles-return",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T23:44:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/aina-ready-for-eagles-return/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nigerian defender Ola Aina is excited about his return to the Super Eagles ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar. The match will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday. Aina was sidelined since injuring himself during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September 2025. He had previously been named in Nigeria's 54-man squad for the 2025 AFCON but was not selected for the final 28-man squad. Aina expressed his enthusiasm about being back with the team and Nigeria, stating that their primary goal is to win the first qualifying game. The defender, who has made 48 appearances for Nigeria since his debut in 2017, has also proved his versatility by playing both right and left-back positions for Forest this season.",
  "summary": "Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina is relishing his return to the Super Eagles as Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in their opening game of the series before travelling to Read More:…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Aina ready for Eagles return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/aina-ready-for-eagles-return-9440638",
        "published": "2026-09-23T23:46:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}