Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi marked his return from a hamstring injury during Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, a crucial win that bolstered their hopes of securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Awoniyi had been sidelined after suffering the injury in Forest’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at the City Ground.
In his absence, manager Nuno Espirito Santo opted to start Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga in attack against Tottenham, a decision that paid off early in the game.
The match saw Forest take the lead through a goal by Anderson, before Wood doubled their advantage with a header from a perfectly delivered cross by Elanga.
The goal was Wood’s 19th of the season, further cementing his importance in the team.
With the game in hand, Awoniyi came on to replace Wood in the final 15 minutes, marking his return to action.
Despite the victory, Awoniyi’s struggles this season have been evident, with only two goals in 28 appearances across all competitions.
This has seen him fall behind Wood in the team’s attacking pecking order.
Awoniyi’s form has also affected his standing in the Super Eagles, leading to his exclusion from the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
As the season nears its conclusion, Awoniyi faces a challenging task to regain his form and secure a place in the Super Eagles squad for the Unity Cup.
With Nottingham Forest vying for a Champions League spot, the striker will be eager to impress in the final stretch of the season and attract interest in the upcoming summer transfer window.
