Ola Aina Stars as Nottingham Forest Reach Europa League Semi-Finals Nigerian Trio Feature in Quarter-Final Clash
Tunde Layeni
Intelligence Dept.

By Deduction – Football Data & Performance Intelligence for Nigerian Players
Nottingham Forest secured a place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals with a 1–0 victory over Porto at the City Ground, sealing a 2–1 aggregate win.
The match featured three Nigerian players, with Ola Aina delivering a standout performance for Forest, while Zaidu Sanusi and Terem Moffi featured for Porto.
⭐ Ola Aina – Defensive Control and Progression (7.3)
6
Aina produced a complete full-back performance, combining defensive discipline with strong ball progression.
📊 Performance Data
- Match Rating: 7.3
- Defensive Contributions: 8
- Tackles Won: 1/1
- Interceptions: 2
- Clearances: 5
- Recoveries: 5
⚔️ Duels
- Ground Duels Won: 2/6
- Aerial Duels Won: 3/3 (100%)
🎯 Passing & Possession
- Accurate Passes: 38/42 (90%)
- Opposition Half: 22/26 (85%)
- Own Half: 16/16 (100%)
- Touches: 63
🚀 Ball Carrying & Progression
- Carries: 11
- Total Carrying Distance: 141.4m
- Progressive Carries: 3
- Total Progression: 64.1m
- Progressive Distance: 89.9m
- Longest Progressive Carry: 34.6m
🔎 Deduction Insight
Aina combined defensive solidity with elite progression, controlling his flank and driving transitions.
🛡️ Zaidu Sanusi – Steady but Limited Influence (6.7)
6
Sanusi started for Porto but was substituted at the beginning of the second half.
📊 Performance Data
- Match Rating: 6.7
- Defensive Contributions: 2
- Tackles Won: 1/2
- Recoveries: 1
⚔️ Duels
- Ground Duels Won: 3/3
- Aerial Duels Won: 1/2
🎯 Passing
- Accurate Passes: 16/20 (80%)
- Opposition Half: 2/4 (50%)
- Own Half: 14/16 (88%)
- Long Balls: 1/1 (100%)
🚀 Carrying
- Carries: 4
- Total Carrying Distance: 46.3m
- Total Progression: 33.8m
🔎 Deduction Insight
Sanusi was efficient in duels and safe in possession, but had limited overall influence before his substitution.
⚽ Terem Moffi – Struggled to Convert (6.1)
4
Moffi played 66 minutes but was unable to make his attacking opportunities count.
📊 Performance Data
- Match Rating: 6.1
- xG: 0.44 | xGOT: 0.08
- Shots: 1 (1 on target)
- Big Chances Missed: 2
🎯 Passing
- Accurate Passes: 2/8 (25%)
- Opposition Half: 1/6 (17%)
⚔️ Duels
- Ground Duels Won: 3/8
- Aerial Duels Won: 1/3
🚀 Carrying
- Carries: 4
- Total Carrying Distance: 30.3m
- Total Progression: 16.1m
🔎 Deduction Insight
Moffi’s performance was defined by inefficiency in key moments, particularly in front of goal and in possession.
📊 Match Summary – Nigerian Contributions
Player
Rating
Key Strength
Key Limitation
Ola Aina
7.3
Defensive control + progression
Limited ground duel success
Zaidu Sanusi
6.7
Efficiency in duels
Low influence
Terem Moffi
6.1
Positioning
Finishing & ball retention
🧠 Deduction Verdict
This match highlighted contrasting performances:
- Aina → Complete, high-level full-back performance
- Sanusi → Stable but limited impact
- Moffi → Struggled in decisive attacking moments
🔥 Final Take
Nottingham Forest’s progression to the semi-finals was driven by defensive control and tactical discipline, with Ola Aina playing a key role.
Deduction Take:
Aina didn’t just play — he controlled his side of the pitch and helped define the outcome.
📊 Deduction – The Home of Nigerian Football Intelligence



