Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma following emergency surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City.
The Nigeria international, 27, collided with the goalpost in the 88th minute while trying to connect with a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga.
Though visibly in pain, Awoniyi continued playing due to Forest having used all their substitution windows. He underwent the first phase of surgery on Monday night, with the second scheduled for Wednesday.
Forest confirmed he remains in hospital and is under close observation. In a Tuesday statement, the club initially said Awoniyi was “recovering well”, but sources later revealed he had been placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery.
The incident has triggered wider concern about matchday injury protocols. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, visibly emotional, entered the pitch after the final whistle to question manager Nuno Espirito Santo about Awoniyi’s condition.
While the club denied media reports of a confrontation, it acknowledged that Marinakis’ actions stemmed from “deep care and responsibility.”
Awoniyi, who joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022, had only just come on as a late substitute. The club said 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 football world now watches with hope for Awoniyi’s full recovery as Forest players and fans rally around their stricken striker.
