By Francis Ajuonuma
Super Eagles’ forward, Taiwo Awoniyi dream to feature at the 34th edition of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’ Ivoire may have been dashed after Nottingham Forest boss, Steve Cooper revealed that the will be out for “months” because of a groin injury.
The 26-year-old aggravated the problem playing for Nigeria during the international break and has had an operation on the issue.
Should Awoniyi fail to return to full fitness by December, then his 2023 AFCON dream will be closed, as the biggest African football fiesta is set to hold from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Cote’d Ivoire.
Awoniyi has scored four goals in 10 Premier League appearances for Forest this season.
“We’ll definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while,” said Cooper.
Former Liverpool forward Awoniyi is a key player for the City Ground side, scoring 10 league goals to help Forest achieve top-flight survival last season.
“It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months,” added Cooper.
“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. 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.”
