Super Eagles served crucial reminder by returning Awoniyi

Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi marked a timely return to form on Sunday afternoon as Nottingham Forest secured a 2–0 away win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, easing their relegation worries.

The 28-year-old striker has endured a difficult Premier League journey, with injuries repeatedly interrupting his momentum since arriving from Union Berlin in 2022. Last season’s abdominal injury, sustained in a collision with the post against Leicester City, kept him sidelined for months and required an induced coma, a setback that significantly slowed his progress.

Even after returning to full fitness, Awoniyi found minutes hard to come by at the City Ground. Forest entered the Brentford fixture without a win in three matches and under pressure to pull away from the bottom three, making the need for impact from the bench even more pronounced.

Super Eagles star Awoniyi delivers decisive moment

Forest took the lead early through Igor Jesus, who finished clinically in the 12th minute after Ola Aina wriggled free on the right and delivered a teasing cross into the box. The goal settled the visitors, but Brentford continued to probe for an equaliser.

Awoniyi was introduced in the 68th minute, replacing Jesus, and wasted little time announcing his presence. Eleven minutes later, Forest broke from a Brentford attack as Morgan Gibbs-White released the Nigerian striker into space.

With little support around him, Awoniyi powered past Sepp van den Berg and calmly rolled the ball beyond Caoimhín Kelleher to double Forest’s advantage. It was his first league goal since January 2025 and a reminder of the physical edge he brings when fully fit.

The strike allowed Forest to control the closing stages, slowing the tempo and protecting their lead with authority. While they remain 17th in the standings, the victory lifts them to within three points of Tottenham Hotspur and restores belief.