By Rasaq Oboirien
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi could miss Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho in Uyo and Zimbabwe in Huye, Rwanda later in November as a result of his niggling injury.
Recall the gangling goal poacher missed the Super Eagles’ last two friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in Portugal because of the injury.
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, who is sweating on the fitness of the Nigerian, as six other players have been ruled out for the game against Aston Villa at the City Ground, provided a fresh update on the fitness of the forward.
The 26-year-old suffered a groin strain in the 1-1 draw against Brentford back in October, with the striker missing games against Crystal Palace and Luton Town
Awoniyi made his return to action off the bench in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last Sunday, replacing Willy Boly in the 70th minute.
However, boss Cooper has admitted that he’s unsure whether the striker will lead the line against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa this afternoon.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Cooper admitted that Awoniyi’s situation is a frustrating one for him and the Reds’ number nine.
“Taiwo [Awoniyi] is a player we have to manage with his injury because it’s an ongoing one and it will be for a little while.
“It’s frustrating for him more than anybody else because he was doing really well and it’s really holding him back.
“It’s not been as simple as he’s fully fit and he’s back training, it’s something and a process we’re going to manage for a little bit of time now.
“We’ll see if he’s available for the weekend, we hope he is but it could go either way.”