Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi In Induced Coma After Emergency Surgery.
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma and is receiving intensive care following urgent abdominal surgery, MailSport has reported. The 27-year-old Nigerian international sustained a serious injury during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday, 11 May 2025, prompting immediate medical attention.
The incident occurred late in the match when Awoniyi collided heavily with a goalpost while attempting to connect with a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga. Despite receiving several minutes of on-pitch treatment, Awoniyi initially returned to play but was visibly in discomfort, effectively leaving Forest a man down as they had already used all their substitutions. The full extent of his injury—a ruptured intestine—was discovered on Monday, leading to his urgent hospitalisation and surgery that evening.
According to reports, the first phase of Awoniyi’s surgery has been successful, with the second phase scheduled for Wednesday, 14 May 2025. The induced coma is intended to restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate to aid recovery. While the injury was potentially life-threatening, there is no indication that Awoniyi’s condition is currently critical, and early signs are positive.
Nottingham Forest confirmed on Tuesday that Awoniyi is “recovering well” so far, though the club acknowledged the severity of the injury, stating, “The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.” The club’s statement also addressed a heated post-match exchange between owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo, clarifying that Marinakis’ frustration stemmed from a miscommunication with offside call that allowed Elanga to advance despite being offside, contributing to the incident.
The football community has rallied around Awoniyi, with fans, teammates, and clubs across the Premier League sending messages of support. Social media posts reflect an outpouring of prayers and well-wishes for the striker’s recovery, with one fan writing, “Thoughts with Taiwo and his family today prior to his surgery. I’m sure everyone in football and the wider community wishes him the best on his recovery.”
Awoniyi, a key figure for Forest since joining in 2022, is unlikely to return this season, with the team facing crucial matches against West Ham and Chelsea as they chase Champions League qualification. His absence will be a significant blow, but the focus remains on his health and recovery.
The incident has also sparked debate about VAR and officiating rules, with fans and pundits criticising the decision to delay offside calls until the phase of play is complete, which allowed the play leading to Awoniyi’s injury to continue.
The thoughts of everyone at Govima, Nottingham Forest, and the wider football community are with Taiwo Awoniyi, his family, and loved ones during this difficult time. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
