Taiwo Awoniyi: Nottingham Forest striker undergoes surgery on serious abdominal injury
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi underwent urgent surgery after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during a Premier League match against Leicester City. The injury occurred in the 88th minute when Awoniyi collided with the post while attempting to connect with a cross, and although he was treated on the pitch and continued playing, he was visibly struggling. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed frustration over the handling of the injury by medical staff, citing it as a reason for his decision to go onto the pitch after the match. Awoniyi, who joined Forest in June 2022 and previously played for Liverpool without making a senior appearance, has scored once in the Premier League this season. The club has promised to provide further updates on Awoniyi's condition as appropriate, while extending their best wishes for his recovery.
Context:
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi underwent urgent surgery after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during a Premier League match against Leicester City. The injury occurred in the 88th minute when Awoniyi collided with the post while attempting to connect with a cross, and although he was treated on the pitch and continued playing, he was visibly struggling. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed frustration over the handling of the injury by medical staff, citing it as a reason for his decision to go onto the pitch after the match. Awoniyi, who joined Forest in June 2022 and previously played for Liverpool without making a senior appearance, has scored once in the Premier League this season. The club has promised to provide further updates on Awoniyi's condition as appropriate, while extending their best wishes for his recovery.
Dive Deeper:
Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a severe abdominal injury after colliding with the post in the 88th minute of a Premier League match against Leicester City, where the score ended in a 2-2 draw.
Despite receiving treatment on the field and continuing to play, Awoniyi showed visible signs of distress, prompting further medical evaluation and eventually urgent surgery.
The incident has sparked criticism from Nottingham Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who was disappointed with the medical staff's decision to allow Awoniyi to continue playing, leading him to intervene post-match.
Awoniyi is a Nigerian international who joined Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022 and has scored a total of 19 goals in 83 appearances for the club across all competitions.
During his time at Liverpool from 2015 to 2021, Awoniyi never made a senior appearance, and this season marks his first goal in the Premier League while playing for Nottingham Forest.
The club has pledged to keep fans updated on Awoniyi's recovery process and has extended their best wishes for his swift return to health.
Awoniyi's injury and subsequent surgery underscore the intense physical risks professional athletes face and the critical importance of effective medical assessment during matches.