NOTTINGHAM, England — Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi don undergo urgent surgery after suffering serious abdominal injury during match against Leicester City on Sunday.
Last Sunday, the Nigeria international, aged 27, collide with the goalpost in the 88th minute of the tense Premier League clash, which end in a dramatic 2-2 draw at the City Ground. Awoniyi was trying to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga when the accident happen.
Awoniyi initially continue to play after receiving treatment on the pitch, but he struggle to regain full mobility as the match resumed. According to a club statement released on Tuesday, they confirm that, “Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent 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 striker only been on the pitch for five minutes after coming in as late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis express his feelings about how the injury was managed during the match, calling it frustrating. He later confront coach Nuno Espírito Santo following the game to discuss it. “Everybody — coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself — we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game,” Marinakis said in an Instagram post.
This incident led to a chaotic end to the match, as Forest pushed for a vital late goal, which could have aided their Champions League qualification hopes. The failure to make a substitution for Awoniyi when he clearly needed further treatment raised several eyebrows.
Awoniyi’s injury happened after a controversial moment where Leicester’s Facundo Buonanotte also hit the post during a play that many believe should have been ruled offside. The officials allowed the action to continue, culminating in both players striking the post.
The draw against Leicester City means Nottingham Forest’s hopes for Champions League qualification remain complex. They must win their last two games, including a crucial meeting with Chelsea, while relying on other clubs like Aston Villa, Manchester City, or Newcastle to drop points.
Despite the disappointing result, Forest’s position is somewhat secured as they are guaranteed to play in European competition next season, having not participated in European football since the 1995-96 season.
The club is expected to provide further updates on Awoniyi’s recovery and condition in the coming days as he begins his rehabilitation process.
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