By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of tawhe 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cote d’ivoire.
This was disclosed by his club Nottingham Forest via its official website.
Awoniyi was said to have aggravated a groin injury which he picked up in October and has undergone surgery which will rule him out for months.
Aleeady, Forest Head Coach Steve Cooper has confirmed that Awoniyi will spend months on the sidelines through injury.
The striker played an hour for Nigeria in their 1-1 draw with Lesotho before withdrawing from international duty last week, due to an aggravation of a groin injury he picked up in October.
Awoniyi, who has scored four goals in 11 appearances for Forest this season, will now spend an extended spell on the sidelines.
Speaking during Thursday press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, Cooper said: “It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months.
“We’ll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him.
“He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored and the goals he will score for us, but he’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him.
“We’ve got to support him through the process of coming back stronger. He’s done that once before here and I’m sure he will give everything again like he did last time.
“You think about how well he did when he returned last season, I’m sure that’s given him a good reference point to come back to.
“We’ll definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while.”
Awoniyi has been in sparkling form since joining Nottingham Forest two seasons ago.
