‘He's still going to take a bit of time’ - Nottingham Forest manager casts doubt on Aina’s return ahead of AFCON

The new manager has delivered a concerning update on the defender's fitness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Nigerian international has been out of action since September after sustaining a hamstring injury during a 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. 

The setback has kept the 29-year-old sidelined for fourteen of Forest's matches in all competitions and also missed four international fixtures for the Super Eagles, including crucial playoff games this month. 

Despite the former Chelsea player recently sharing images of his personal training on social media, which sparked hope for his inclusion in Nigeria's AFCON squad, Dyche confirmed he is not yet close to a comeback.

Speaking to the media before Forest's Europa League match against Malmo, Dyche stated, "Ola Aina is not on the grass with us yet, he's still going to take a bit of time."

This news comes as Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle prepares to name his squad for the upcoming tournament in the next few days. 

Aina, a key component of Nigeria's defence, now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the competition.

With Chelle looking to select his team for the AFCON tournament, he is faced with a huge headache following the news of Aina and Fedrick Benjamin’s fitness.

Nigeria are set to compete in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda for a spot in the next round.