'One of the hardest we've played' - Ola Aina admits Angola was a difficult opponent to face

 The Super Eagles, riding high on Ademola Lookman's decisive goal, faced what Aina describes as one of their stiffest challenges yet at the Africa Cup of Nations.

In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Nigeria narrowly escaped a draw when Angola's Zini's shot hit the post, underscoring the tense moments the Super Eagles had to navigate. The victory, however, didn't come easy, as Aina reflected on the game's intensity.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult game, I think so far one of the hardest we've played just because we have had a lot of games where physically the boys have put a lot in," Aina shared as reported by Allnigeriasoccer. 

"This game was really hard but nevertheless we are happy that we put a performance and result that we wanted to."

Under the tactical guidance of Jose Peseiro, Nigeria has seen a defensive resurgence, adopting a 3-4-3 formation that has fortified their backline and resulted in four consecutive clean sheets. 

Aina expressed confidence in the team's current strategy and their readiness for the challenges ahead.