Mainz-linked Awoniyi picks up Nottingham Forest award as Aina gets Europa League joy

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi has been voted the winner of the club’s Goal of the Month award for January, following his outstanding solo effort against Brentford, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigeria international produced the moment of the match during Forest’s 2-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium.

With Igor Jesus having put the visitors in front early on, Awoniyi took control in the second half, collecting a clever pass from Morgan Gibbs-White before driving directly at the Brentford defence. Showing both strength and composure, the 28-year-old burst into the penalty area and slid a low finish past goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher to seal the points.

Taiwo’s goal at Brentford has been voted Swizzels Sweetest Strike for January. 🍬 pic.twitter.com/s7hyxAWbCS

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 5, 2026

Chosen from seven shortlisted goals across Forest’s men’s, women’s and academy sides, the strike marked Awoniyi’s first goal of the season, otherwise tagged the Swizzels Sweetest Strike.

Injuries and limited minutes had restricted him to just eight Premier League appearances and barely over 200 minutes of action. The lack of momentum also saw him left out of Forest’s Europa League squad earlier in the season, as head coach Sean Dyche leaned on other attacking options.

Awoniyi eve came close to leaving Forest in January, with Mainz interested in a loan move for the Nigerian. But nothing came out of the negotiations. 

Awoniyi out as Aina returns for Europa League knockout tie

While Awoniyi continues his domestic push, fellow Nigerian international Ola Aina has received a timely boost with his inclusion in Nottingham Forest’s Europa League squad for the knockout phase of the competition.

The full-back had missed the closing stages of the group phase after picking up an injury on international duty but has now fully recovered to take his place in the club’s 22-man UEFA A List.

Forest confirmed the updated squad ahead of their two-legged play-off against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, with a spot in the last 16 on the line. New additions Omari Hutchinson, Jair Cunha and January signing Lorenzo Lucca have also been registered for the European campaign.

However, there was still no place for Awoniyi in the continental squad, with Dyche continuing to favour Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in attack.

Both Awoniyi and Aina, though, remain part of Forest’s updated 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the season, alongside January arrivals Lucca, Luca Netz and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Forest now turn their focus back to domestic action with a league trip to Leeds United, hoping Awoniyi’s confidence-boosting moment can spark a stronger finish to the campaign.