Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness after being placed in an induced coma following surgery to treat a serious abdominal injury, BBC Sport has reported.
Awoniyi suffered a ruptured intestine during a recent match and underwent the first phase of surgery on Monday. As part of the medical procedure, he was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday to allow doctors to closely monitor his condition.
The second phase of the operation, which involved closing the wound, was successfully completed on Wednesday.
“Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury. Having had the first part of the surgery on Monday, he spent Tuesday in an induced coma as medical staff monitored his progress as part of the procedure. Awoniyi underwent the second stage of the operation, including closing the wound, on Wednesday – a process that was successful,” the report stated.
The incident has sparked widespread sympathy across Nigeria. Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed deep concern over the striker’s condition.
“I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi, a resilient son of the soil, who, while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty,” Obi said.
He added, “It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on, a testament to the Nigerian spirit: strong, unyielding, and ever-committed.”
Obi urged Nigerians to show support for Awoniyi and his family during this difficult time.
“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk… May he recover fully and return stronger,” he said.
Providing further updates, Nigerian photojournalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, popularly known as OgaNlaMedia, shared that the striker is making steady progress.
“I just spoke with a family member of Taiwo Awoniyi, he’s recovering well. His wife is around him, and he’s responding to treatment. Hopefully, we should be able to speak with him soon,” he posted.
