Ola Aina Sparks Nostalgia as He Wears Classic Super Eagles Jersey

Former Chelsea academy player and Super Eagles defender Ola Aina has caught the attention of fans after he was seen wearing a classic Nigeria jersey while unveiling his new limited-edition football boots.

The Nottingham Forest star appeared in a retro Super Eagles shirt famously linked to Nwankwo Kanu, who wore the Number 4 jersey. The sight of the vintage kit immediately brought back memories for many Nigerian supporters and revived conversations about one of the team’s most loved designs.

Aina wore the old jersey during a photo shoot for the launch of his Sokito “Mr Lulu” boots — a collection that mixes modern style with touches of football history. The jersey he chose is the same one the Super Eagles used at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

His decision was no surprise. Aina has often spoken about his strong connection to Nigeria, and Kanu is said to be one of the former Super Eagles heroes he admired growing up.

The 2002 jersey remains special to fans for its unique mint-green colour and its place in Nigeria’s football journey. It marked the end of Nigeria’s first partnership with Nike and stood out because it was so different from earlier darker-green designs. Although the World Cup campaign ended at the group stage, the kit has stayed iconic.

Now, more than twenty years later, Ola Aina’s choice to wear it has reminded fans why the classic Kanu-era jersey is still held in such high regard.