Awoniyi Out Of 2023 AFCON, To Undergo Surgery

Awoniyi Out Of 2023 AFCON, To Undergo Surgery

Sampson Adedeji

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast which kicks off in January, after Nottingham Forest announced that the Nigerian will undergo surgery on the injury he sustained during the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, BSNSports.com.ng

Awoniyi lasted 59 minutes in the game and went ahead to miss the game against Zimbabwe.

Manager of the English Premier League club Steve Copper told a press conference on Thursday, where he confirmed that Awoniyi will go under doctors' knives and will be out for months.

The Nations Cup is slated for January 2024 and is likely that the lanky attacker will not be available for selection

"It's bad news on Taiwo, he's had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months.

"We'll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it's a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him.

"He's become an important player for us with the goals he's scored and the goals he will score for us, but he's such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him.

"We've got to support him through the process of coming back stronger. He's done that once before here and I'm sure he will give everything again like he did last time.

"You think about how well he did when he returned last season, I'm sure that's given him a good reference point to come back to.

"We'll see him again this season, but it's groin surgery so it will take a little while", he told club media.