Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of the 2023 AFCON in a major blow to the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, MySportDab reports.
Taiwo Awoniyi joined the piling list of footballers injured while on duty with their respective national teams during November international break.
The 26-year-old made Jose Peseiro’s list of invited players for the Super Eagles’ double-header 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Nigeria were held at home to a disappointing 1-1 draw by the African minnows at Godswill Akpabio stadium in the first match.
Taiwo Awoniyi started the game against Lesotho but was forced off in the 60th minute due to injury.
Following the injury, Awoniyi withdrew from the Super Eagles squad and was ruled out of the next World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
He was flown back to England where the injury was to be assessed by Nottingham Forest medical officers.
Now, in a grim update from Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper, it is not looking good for Taiwo Awoniyi.
According to Cooper, Awoniyi will undergo surgery due to the injury and will miss months of actions for the Tricky Trees, Soccernet reports.
“It’s bad news on Taiwo [Awoniyi], he’s had to have surgery, and he is going to be out for months,” the former England under-17 manager said.
“We’ll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him,” Cooper said.
The former Liverpool forward is now set to miss 2023 AFCON which kicks in February 2024 in Cote D’Ivoire.
Awoniyi has been Nottingham Forest’s main striker and was as well phenomenal for the Super Eagles through the AFCON qualifiers.
He has scored 4 goals in 10 Premier League games so far this season and has a goal in his 5 international appearances for Nigeria.
