Nigerian Striker, Taiwo Awoniyi in Induced Coma After Urgent Abdominal Surgery

Nottingham Forest footballer Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed into a medically induced coma and is receiving intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery on an abdominal injury.

Awoniyi collided with a goalpost in the closing stages of Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester on Sunday afternoon and the striker initially continued playing after receiving treatment from medical staff.

But it has since emerged that Awoniyi was rushed from the City Ground to hospital, where the 27-year-old Nigeria international underwent ‘urgent’ surgery on Monday night due to the extent of the injury.

According to Mail Sport, the early signs are positive and the operation appears to have been a success. The second phase of the procedure is set to be carried out on Wednesday

While such an injury can be fatal in the most severe cases, Forest have confirmed in a lengthy statement on their official website that Awoniyi is ‘recovering well’.

‘The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and wellbeing must always come first,’ the statement read.

‘At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club – it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us.’

Awoniyi had been introduced for Ibrahim Sangare in the 83rd minute of the Premier League contest and attempted to play on after the heavy collision with the upright, with Nuno Espirito Santo having used up all of his available substitutes.

But Awoniyi was clearly in some discomfort and the hosts were effectively forced to search for a winner without the immobile attacker, who has scored one goal in the top flight this season.

The injury to Awoniyi may have been avoided had the assistant referee raised his flag earlier, with the Nigerian clearly in an offside position for Antony Elanga’s cross.

A controversial rule change introduced at the start of the 2020/21 season means Premier League officials are instructed to keep their flags down until the passage of play is complete, even if they suspect offside.