Taiwo Awoniyi: Super Eagles star reveals initial position before becoming a striker

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed he didn’t start his career banging in goals, Afrik Foot reports.

The 28-year-old was a part of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, alongside Kelechi Iheanacho.

Awoniyi scored four goals in that tournament, while Iheanacho scored six goals and provided six assists, winning the Golden Ball award.

Still, the Forest forward revealed he wasn’t as goal-hungry when he started his football career in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Taiwo Awoniyi started his career as a defender

In a recent interview with Nottingham Forest, the Union Berlin record Bundesliga goalscorer revealed he was tried across several positions before he eventually settled up front.

“When I was younger, I always played in different positions. I started in defence before moving into midfield and eventually to striker.

“Once, when I went to a trial, we were short of a player so I had to play as a 10 and a striker as well. I scored goals then as well, so since then I always wanted to be a centre forward,” the ex-Mainz 05 man said.

“Before being a forward, I wanted to be a centre back. I always enjoyed playing there with my friends, but further down the line I wanted to be a forward and I’ve played there ever since.

“When I was at trials, one of my coaches told me, ‘I know you’re a forward but I think you’re smart enough to play anywhere,’ and on that day we were short of a defender so he asked me to play as a centre back and I did OK.

“After that, I always thought that if I couldn’t be a forward, I would be a defender,” Awoniyi concluded.

While Awoniyi’s career has proven he’s a good goalscorer, the journey hasn’t been without its struggles.

He’s battled with several injuries, major and minor, but his mentality has always prevailed, setting him back into the game against the odds