With a groyne injury ruling him out for “months,” Super Eagles attacker Taiwo Awoniyi faces missing Nigeria’s trip to the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for early next year.
Steve Cooper, head coach of Nottingham Forest, stated on Thursday, “It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months.”
It’s a very bad scenario and a blow for him, but we’ll support him and work to get him back as soon and as healthy as he can be.
Read Also: EPL: Nottingham Forest manager believes Awoniyi will recover from his injury more quickly
In Nigeria’s 1-1 tie with Lesotho in a Group C World Cup qualifying match, the striker sustained an injury.
“For A Short While”
This season, 26-year-old Awoniyi has been crucial for Forest. In ten Premier League games, the 26-year-old has already scored four goals. In the previous season, he scored ten goals in the domestic league as Cooper’s team fought to avoid relegation.
With the goals he has scored and will score for us, Cooper continued, “he’s become an important player 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 must help him through the process of recovering and becoming stronger. He has previously demonstrated that ability here, and I have no doubt that he will give it his all once more.
“I’m sure that’s given him a good reference point to come back to, considering how well he performed when he returned last season.
“It will take some time because he needs groyne surgery, but we will definitely see him again this season.”
His injury will be a major issue for the Super Eagles, who will compete in Cote d’Ivoire next year for the 2023 AFCON championship. Awoniyi was the starter for Nigeria against Lesotho, but he was injured during the match, thus he had to return to England.
