May 14, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
Nottingham Forest’s Nigerian striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has been placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery from urgent abdominal surgery.
Awoniyi suffered a serious injury during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester in the Premier League, colliding with the goalpost in the 88th minute.
The 27-year-old was rushed to the hospital on Monday evening for the operation after the extent of the injury was confirmed.
According to Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi is “recovering well” following the surgery.
The induced coma will help restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate.
Awoniyi initially received treatment on the pitch but attempted to play on despite visible discomfort, as Forest had used all their substitutes. The club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, expressed frustration that the medical team allowed Awoniyi to continue playing.
“The seriousness of Taiwo Awoniyi’s 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… There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.”
Awoniyi’s condition is not considered life-threatening, and fans, fellow footballers, and the football community are praying for his quick recovery.
