Taiwo Awoniyi continues to receive goodwill messages, the latest coming from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after the Nottingham Forest attacker underwent emergency surgery to treat an abdominal injury.
The 27-year-old Nigerian striker, who was a substitute during Forest’s 2-2 draw with visiting Leicester City last Sunday, collided with the post in the 87th minute as he tried to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga.
Awoniyi was subsequently treated on the field by the club’s medical staff and was passed fit to continue. However, the medical staff only discovered the full extent of the Super Eagles striker’s injury on Monday, leading to him being rushed to the hospital.
It is at this point that Awoniyi underwent surgery on an abdominal injury, with the Tricky Trees issuing a statement afterwards.
“The club can confirm Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City. Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. the club will provide further updates when appropriate,” the club stated.
Following the development, Nigeria’s football governing body have wished Awoniyi well as he begins a period of recovery and rehabilitation. In a post on the federation’s official X account on Tuesday afternoon, the NFF wrote “Brace up Tee, remember you’re stronger than what you think.”
Forest also released a follow-up statement on Tuesday, “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.”
It added, “The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.”
Nottingham Forest also used the opportunity to refute claims that there was no confrontation between owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo after their draw to Leicester, after the Greek billionaire had walked onto the pitch at full-time and was seen cutting an animated figure as he spoke to Espirito Santo.
Awoniyi, who joined Forest from German Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin in the summer of 2022, has made 32 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals, after losing a spot in the starting line-up to the in-form New Zealand striker, Chris Wood.