Taiwo Awoniyi, a striker for Nottingham Forest, has broken his silence following an abdominal emergency surgery that left him in an induced coma earlier this month.
The Nigerian international described the 2024/25 season as one of his most difficult years of playing football in an Instagram post from Sunday.
“I have felt the love throughout this season, which has been one of my career’s most challenging.” I’m grateful to be here, to still fight, to still smile, and to be in good spirits, Awoniyi wrote.
He thanked his teammates, coaches, club staff, and the entire Nottingham Forest area for their assistance in recovering from his injuries.
Thank you for your well wishes, my teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire Forest family. The Ilorin-born striker claimed that seeing you all at your hospital visit lifted her spirits more than words can express.
Awoniyi, a Nigerian striker, was hospitalized for abdominal surgery.
Awoniyi also expressed his gratitude to the squad for playing their final two Premier League games, saying, “Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games.” Keep pushing and believing. I’m with you every step of the way, and I’m looking forward to returning to the field with the boys to pursue my passions.
The 27-year-old thanked his country and his fans for their kindness and support.
Thank you for your continued support, my family, friends, and football fans. And he said, “Thank you to everyone who has visited me, prayed for me, and left kind words back home in Nigeria.”
“I can see them,” I sense them. And as I recuperate, I always have them with me. You Reds, get on with it. Still smiling despite fighting. The greatest God ever.
Coma And Emergency Surgery
Awoniyi’s health issue started on May 12 when he injured his abdominal muscles during Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground.
The striker initially tried to continue playing after receiving medical attention after colliding with a goalpost while attempting to convert Anthony Elanga’s cross.
The severity of the injury was only revealed by Forest’s medical team the day after. The club confirmed this in a statement via their official X (previously Twitter) handle, which he immediately received for urgent surgery.
“Tawo Awoniyi’s abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s game against Leicester City has been confirmed by the Club as having undergone urgent surgery. Taiwo receives all of their best wishes from Nottingham Forest. When necessary, the club stated that it would provide additional information.
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Later, it became known that Awoniyi had been placed in a medically-induced coma as part of the post-surgery procedure. Nuno Esprito Santo, manager of Nottingham Forest, stated that the team had been severely affected by the situation at a press conference on May 16th.
“We are concerned, but it is positive,” he said. “We are affected by his circumstances.”
European Hopes for Forest
After drawing with Leicester, Forest lost ground in the race for Champions League qualification, which was already a difficult day for them.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis made headlines after confronting manager Nuno about how Awoniyi’s injury was handled when he stormed onto the pitch at full-time.
Even after Nuno had spoken with the medical staff, Marinakis reportedly became angry that the player was kept on the field despite his apparent distress.
Forest are no longer in charge of their Champions League destiny, despite sitting seventh at the top of the table. With only two games left, they are one point ahead of West Ham and Chelsea in the top five.
Source: Channels TV
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