Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi has spoken publicly for the first time since coming out of an induced coma following surgery.
The Nottingham Forest striker suffered a serious injury after colliding with the woodwork during Forest’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City.
He ruptured his intestine in the incident and underwent emergency surgery.
After the operation, Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma but is now stable and recovering.
In a message shared on Instagram, the 27-year-old expressed gratitude and urged his teammates to keep fighting as the season nears its end.
“This season has been one of the most difficult of my career, but through it all, I have felt the love.
“With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.
🙏🦅🇳🇬 @taiwoawoniyi18 pic.twitter.com/uoNg7MfHZ5
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) May 18, 2025
“To my teammates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well-wishes. Seeing you all on your visits to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.
“Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games. Keep believing and keep pushing. I am with you all the way and I can't wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.
“To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you.
“I see them, I feel them, and I carry them with me every day as I recover.” Awoniyi stated.
Nottingham Forest dedicate West Ham victory to Taiwo Awoniyi
In a touching tribute, teammate Morgan Gibbs-White lifted Awoniyi’s shirt after scoring in Forest’s 2-1 win at West Ham, dedicating the goal and victory to the injured forward.
“We had to do it today for T,” Gibbs-White said after the match.
Other teammates like his international teammate Ola Aina, Anthony Elanga and Nico Williams all joined in hoisting Awoniyi's shirt towards the Forest's fans in the win over West Ham.
Although Awoniyi is now stable, it remains uncertain whether he will feature in Forest’s final game of the season at home to Chelsea.
