Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi is currently in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a critical abdominal injury, multiple UK media outlets have reported.
The 27-year-old Nottingham Forest forward sustained the injury late in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground. Awoniyi collided with the post in the 88th minute while trying to finish off a cross from Anthony Elanga, having just been introduced as a substitute.
Despite appearing to shrug off the blow and completing the match with a visible limp, the seriousness of the injury soon became clear.
On Tuesday, British news platforms including the BBC reported that Awoniyi had undergone surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma as part of the recovery process. Forest had earlier released a statement confirming the procedure, describing his condition post-op as “recovering well.”
“Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well following urgent surgery on a significant abdominal injury picked up during Sunday’s game,” the club noted.
The incident also reportedly sparked tension on the sidelines. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis came onto the pitch post-match and seemed visibly upset. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo later explained that Marinakis was frustrated Awoniyi wasn’t taken off earlier, blaming the confusion on miscommunication between the coaching and medical teams.
However, the club swiftly labeled reports of a confrontation between the owner and the manager as “fake news.”
Forest have not provided a detailed medical timeline for Awoniyi’s recovery or how long he will be sidelined.
Should we send you latest update about your favourite sports and team?
Enter you email in the box below and hit the subscribe button to join our teaming 876+ sports community.
