The football community has rallied around Taiwo Awoniyi after it was confirmed that the Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles striker is currently in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine.
The 27-year-old was injured during the final minutes of Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday.
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Awoniyi, who had just been brought on as a substitute, collided forcefully with the goalpost while attempting to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga.
Despite immediate treatment, Awoniyi tried to continue playing.
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However, the severity of his condition led to further medical evaluation on Monday, after which he was admitted to the hospital and underwent abdominal surgery later that night.
On Tuesday, Nottingham Forest said Awoniyi was “recovering well,” though doctors had placed him in an induced coma to help limit his movement and regulate his heart rate.
It is understood that his condition is not life-threatening.
Football world rallies behind Awoniyi
The incident has sparked widespread concern and support from across the football world.
The Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa, fans, journalists, present and former teammates have all sent messages of encouragement and solidarity.
Rasheedat Ajibade, a Nigerian international and Atlético Madrid forward, shared a heartfelt message:
“Our hearts are heavy as we hold Taiwo Awoniyi in our prayers. Just days ago, he shared his light and strength with us on the Rash 4 Christ podcast. Now, as he fights in this difficult moment, we stand with him and his family in faith and hope.
God is with you, Taiwo. You’re not alone Please say a prayer for Taiwo Awoniyi and his family.” She wrote on her X Page.
Awoniyi’s former club, Union Berlin, also sent their best wishes via social media:
“Sending our love, and very best wishes for a quick recovery to Taiwo Awoniyi @NFFC Eisern!”
Messages of support have continued to pour in, highlighting Awoniyi’s positive impact on and off the pitch.
Change the rules
Awoniyi’s injury has also reignited debate around VAR protocols. In the lead-up to the collision, Anthony Elanga had received the ball in an offside position, but play was allowed to continue due to standard officiating procedures that instruct assistants to delay raising the flag until a goal-scoring opportunity concludes.
Critics argue that this delay, designed to ensure accurate VAR review, can expose players to unnecessary risks—something highlighted by Awoniyi’s injury.
Club defends owner’s reaction amid speculation
Following the game, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch, prompting media reports of a possible confrontation with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. However, the club strongly denied these claims, calling them “fake news.”
In a statement, the club defended Marinakis’s actions:
“In the final 10 minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch.”
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“The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.”
Nothingham Forest have promised more updates on Awoniyi once they are available.
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