Torino and Nigeria international defender Ola Aina has explained what led to him not playing regular games for Torino since the start of the year.
Aina was ever present in the first half of the season for Torino and left to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon which started in January. By the time Nigeria exited the tournament at the round of 16 his spot in the team have been taken up by someone else.
He failed to win his spot back till the season ended and with a year to go on his deal at the club, the former Chelsea defender is open to the idea of leaving the Serie A side with reports circulating that he is likely eyeing a move back to England.
In an interview with the BBC, Aina explained what he thinks was responsible for his lack of game time, upon his return from AFCON duties with the senior national team of Nigeria insisting that he has no regret going to the tournament.
“For me, I didn’t have any issue. I was looking forward to it (the Nations Cup) from the time we had qualified to go and play in that tournament*, he said in an interview with BBC.
“I think there should be a middle ground. Obviously, as players, we understand that while we are away the team have to adapt and other players may take their opportunities and that’s understandable and acceptable because we are not there.
“In my case, that’s what happened. Someone took their opportunity and they did very well, and that’s just the nature of the game.”