Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering after being taken out of an induced coma following urgent abdominal surgery sustained during a dramatic Premier League fixture against Leicester City last Sunday.
The 27-year-old Nigerian forward was involved in a frightening incident when he collided with a goalpost shortly after being substituted into the match. The clash occurred during a late goal attempt that would have given Forest the lead in the 2-2 draw. However, the move was later flagged offside, and the incident took a serious turn as Awoniyi required extensive medical attention.
Two-Part Surgery and Induced Coma
photo by g3 motorsports hub
Awoniyi underwent the first stage of surgery on Monday after scans revealed internal abdominal damage. On Tuesday, he was placed in an induced coma to monitor his recovery safely. The second phase of the operation, including wound closure, was successfully performed on Wednesday, according to BBC Sport.
Nottingham Forest confirmed that Awoniyi is now stable and recovering well.
Controversy Over Injury Management
The club’s medical handling of the situation has come under scrutiny. Awoniyi reportedly tried to continue playing despite visible discomfort, prompting concerns from fans and club management alike. After the match, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the pitch and expressed concern to manager Nuno Espirito Santo, which some reports mischaracterized as a confrontation.
In response, Nottingham Forest issued a firm statement, calling such claims “fake news” and emphasizing that the only frustration was directed at the medical staff’s decision to allow Awoniyi to play on after the collision.
“There was no confrontation with Nuno or others… We call on former players and commentators to avoid baseless outrage and prioritize player welfare,” Forest said in their official statement.
photo by tnt sports
What’s Next for Awoniyi?
Awoniyi will remain under close medical supervision as he recovers from surgery. While no specific return date has been announced, his condition is said to be improving steadily. Nottingham Forest fans and the broader football community have poured out support for the striker on social media.
The incident reignites concerns around match-day medical protocols and the importance of erring on the side of caution when dealing with suspected internal injuries in high-stakes games.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/14/image-fb907d2f-a47d-4d07-b7d3-96f75a43d739-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Taiwo Awoniyi Out of Induced Coma After Surgery for Abdominal Injury vs Leicester City 3")
