African stars are not only shining on the continent but all over the world too, and one Nigeria star rose as a giant among them with his most recent performance.
Against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, Nottingham Forest managed to overcome the Birmingham side with the help of this weekend's African star, Ola Aina.
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The Nigerian fullback put in a Man of the Match performance and chipped in with a stunning long-range goal to ensure his side left City Ground with all three points and end their six-match winless run.
In just five minutes, the hosts opened the scoring. Former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga started the move with a rapid one-two combination with Nicolas Dominguez that set him on a surging run down the left flank. The Swiss then passed the ball to Harry Toffolo, who had joined in support before teeing up Aina, and the 27-year-old made no mistake with the finish, thumping it into the bottom-left corner.
In a weekend filled with VAR controversy, Aina's thunderous strike that handed the Tricky Trees an early lead needed no review.
To top it all off, he recreated the iconic celebration of his countryman and former Everton striker Yakubu Ayegbeni!
Ola Aina's sensational strike to put Nott'm Forest ahead.Beautiful goal ?pic.twitter.com/a6OnAaQUtl
— Soar Super Eagles (@SSE_NGA) November 5, 2023
Orel Mangala's effort from outside of the box also found the back of the net after 2023 Yashin Trophy winner Emiliano Martínez's save proved to not be strong enough.
During the game, Aina proved an offensive threat throughout, on one occasion cutting the ball back for Dominguez, only for the Argentine to miss the opportunity to double the home side's lead.
He was also influential at the back and showed off his versatility by switching from where he started at right-back over to left-back while still maintaining the standard of performance he produced on the opposite side.
After the Nigeria international joined Forest from Serie A side Torino on a free transfer in July this year, Nottinghamshire Live described the defender as a player who is "proving to be an excellent signing" after his brilliant weekend showing and being voted the side's Player of the Month for September.
Speaking after the game, the fullback said that his goal was one he would cherish for a long time.
"Massive win. We were disappointed last week but today we are happy, we fought for each other and got the win," he told Sky Sports.
"My goal was one to remember. I am happy to get off the mark and help the team. We can all be proud, we stuck to the game plan, we dug in and fought for each other."
Aina is a product of Chelsea's youth academy, coming up through the London club's ranks before a loan stint at Hull City and then a permanent move to Torino after impressing the Italian side on loan.
He was also part of Steve Cooper's side when they recorded an unlikely 1-0 victory over his former club Chelsea in September. Now, however, the Super Eagle and his side must look towards an away clash against West Ham United on Sunday as they hope to build on their positive result.