Despite being called up for national duty with the Super Eagles, Taiwo Awoniyi’s Premier League club, Nottingham Forest, is demanding more from the forward. Awoniyi has struggled to find form this season, failing to score in his appearances so far. His latest outing saw him substituted at halftime during a 4-4-2 formation against Fulham.
Forest’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, acknowledged that while Awoniyi worked hard during his time on the pitch, he needs regular playing time to regain his best form. All strikers need that moment to score, and T did well against Fulham, Santo remarked. It’s been a while since he started, but he created a lot of situations in the first half.
Santo further expressed his hope that Awoniyi’s involvement with the Nigerian national team will provide him with the much needed competition and match fitness. Hopefully, when he returns, he will be another strong option for us, the manager added.
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Editorial
Taiwo Awoniyi’s current challenges at Nottingham Forest highlight the difficulties strikers often face when they lose momentum. Goals are the lifeblood of any forward, and the pressure to perform can be immense, especially when a player is struggling to find the back of the net. For Awoniyi, a player with a proven track record, this dry spell is concerning not just for his club but also for his place in the Super Eagles squad.
As fans, we understand that form in football can be fleeting, and Awoniyi needs to regain his sharpness in front of the goal. Nuno Espirito Santo’s comments indicate that while there is still confidence in the striker’s abilities, he must seize every opportunity to prove his worth, both for Nottingham Forest and the Nigerian national team.
The upcoming AFCON qualifiers might provide the ideal platform for Awoniyi to rediscover his scoring touch. With Nigeria relying on him as one of their primary forwards, these matches could be pivotal not just for the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes but for Awoniyi’s confidence as well. What is clear is that both club and country need him to return to form quickly.
As supporters, we trust that with the right guidance and game time, Awoniyi can emerge stronger and regain his scoring prowess. His ability to create chances, as seen in the match against Fulham, shows promise. But football is a results-driven sport, and he will need to turn those opportunities into goals if he is to fully justify his place in the squad.
Did You Know?
- Taiwo Awoniyi was a key figure in Union Berlin’s qualification for the UEFA Champions League before moving to Nottingham Forest.
- Awoniyi became the first Nigerian player to score for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League after his transfer.
- His first professional contract was signed with Liverpool in 2015, although he never made a competitive appearance for the club.
- Awoniyi represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, helping the team win the tournament.
- Nottingham Forest signed Awoniyi for a club record fee in 2022.
