By Omowumi Omotosho
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has broken his silence with a heartfelt message following a major health scare that led to emergency surgery and a medically induced coma.
The 27-year-old forward, who plays for Nottingham Forest, sustained a severe abdominal injury, a ruptured intestine, during last Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League clash with Leicester City. He was rushed to the hospital the next day.
Doctors performed two surgeries to address the damage, after which Awoniyi was placed in a medically induced coma for stabilization. He eventually regained consciousness last Wednesday.
On Sunday, Awoniyi took to Instagram to express deep gratitude to his supporters. He described his current period as one of the most challenging times in his football journey and thanked his fans, loved ones, and fellow Nigerians for their unwavering prayers and encouragement throughout his ordeal.
“This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love,”
“With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.
“To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you.
“I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover,” he wrote.
Awoniyi also extended heartfelt appreciation to Nottingham Forest team, for the comforting visits, kind messages, and unwavering support, all of which brought him strength and encouragement while he was hospitalized.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.
“Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love,” he added.
Since moving from Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest in 2022, following his earlier development in Liverpool’s youth ranks, Awoniyi has featured in 32 matches in the 2024/25 premier league season, finding the back of the net twice.
