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Nigerian internationalm and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in a medically-induced coma following emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s Premier League match against Leicester City at the City Ground.

The 26-year-old forward collapsed late in the match, visibly in pain, and was rushed to a UK hospital where he underwent urgent surgical intervention. In a statement released late Monday, Nottingham Forest confirmed the gravity of the injury but noted that Awoniyi is “recovering well so far.”

“Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City,” the club said.

While the club declined to provide full medical details, multiple sources have reported that Awoniyi was placed in a medically-induced coma to manage post-operative complications and support his recovery. The shocking turn of events has sent waves through the football world, especially among fans of the Super Eagles and the Premier League.

Emotional Response from Club Leadership

Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, reportedly stormed the pitch in the final minutes of the match, overwhelmed with concern for the player. The club described the incident as a deeply personal moment for the Greek businessman.Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi

“The seriousness of his 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. At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner,” the statement read.

Marinakis, known for his passionate management style, considered the injury not just a team loss but a personal blow to the “family” culture he has fostered within the club.

Rumors had swirled on social media about a possible altercation between Marinakis and head coach Nuno Espírito Santo in the immediate aftermath. However, Forest categorically denied the speculation.

“The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the club clarified.

Forest Condemns Speculation and “Fake News”

The club also condemned speculative commentary and misinformation that circulated online in the wake of the incident.

“We urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online. Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one – least of all the injured player,” the statement warned.

A Key Player for Club and Country

Awoniyi, a crucial part of Nigeria’s Super Eagles and a fan favorite at Nottingham Forest, has battled multiple injuries over the past year but remained an essential attacking force for both teams. His tenacity and goal-scoring ability have earned him praise both domestically and internationally.

Since joining Forest in 2022 from Union Berlin, Awoniyi has scored critical goals and shown consistent performance when fit. His injury comes at a time when Forest is battling to maintain its Premier League status, intensifying the emotional toll on the squad.

Outpouring of Support

Messages of support have poured in from teammates, coaches, and fans worldwide, with many taking to social media to wish the striker a full and speedy recovery.

The Nigerian Football Federation also issued a statement of solidarity, noting that Awoniyi remains in their thoughts and prayers.

“We are closely monitoring Taiwo’s condition and are in constant communication with Nottingham Forest. Our thoughts are with him, his family, and the entire Forest community at this difficult time,” the NFF said.

Looking Ahead

While the road to recovery may be long, Forest emphasized its commitment to supporting Awoniyi through every stage of his rehabilitation. Medical experts have cautioned that induced comas, while alarming, are often used to aid healing and manage post-surgical complications.

No official timeline has been released for Awoniyi’s return to football.

As the football world holds its breath, one thing is clear: for Nottingham Forest, this is more than just a player on the injury list—it is a human story of resilience, family, and the high stakes of elite sport.

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