Super Eagles of Nigeria and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has had groin surgery that will keep him out of football action for months, the Premier League club’s manager Steve Cooper said on Thursday.
Awoniyi got injured while playing for Nigeria during this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, forcing the striker to withdraw from the Super Eagles squad during the international break.
The Nigerian striker is a key player for both Nottingham Forest and the Super Eagles and his injury is a major blow for both teams.
“It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months,” Forest manager Cooper said ahead of the team’s home game against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
“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. We’ll definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while.”
Awoniyi had been in excellent form for Nottingham Forest this season, scoring four and recording two assists in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest are 14th on the table with 13 points from 12 games and face a tough task against a resilient Brighton side.
