The quest for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win its fourth Africa Cup of Nations title has suffered a big blow with a few months to the tournament.
The Eagles forward player, Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of action for at least four months which is after the 2023 AFCON that will be hosted in Cote d’Ivoire. Nottingham Forest confirmed Awoniyi’s injury on its official website on Thursday, November 23, 2023.
The statement released said that the player picked up the injury during the Super Eagles World Cup qualifying game against Lesotho in Uyo on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
“It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months. We support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him. He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored and the goals he will score for us, but he’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him. We’ve got to support him through the process of coming back stronger. He’s done that once before here and I’m sure he will give everything again like he did last time. You think about how well he did when he returned last season, I’m sure that’s given him a good reference point to come back to We will definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while.”
Awoniyi has been fantastic for Forest since he joined them last season, his goal was crucial in helping them survive relegation. However, he has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Forest this season.