By EMMA JEMEGAH, with reports
After featuring in only five matches without a goal or assist, with three appearances off the bench and two starts, Nigeria’s Taiwo Awoniyi bounced back on Monday to contribute to Nottingham Forest’s 3-0 bashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
The game not only marked his return to full fitness but ended a 324-day goals drought for the Super Eagles striker.
And he has succintly described his first goal of 2025 as “a perfect gift from God”.
Awoniyi came off the bench to score a stoppage time goal as Nottingham Forest ran away 3-0 winners at Wolves.
Born-again Christian Awoniyi revealed through his shin pads a bible verse – James 1.17 – “Every good and perfect gift comes from above”.
Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest in the 2022/23 season from Union Berlin.
Now in his third season with the club, the striker had been battling recurring injuries, which have hampered his form.
In his debut season, he managed to score 11 goals and provided one assist in 30 appearances.
However, his progress was derailed last season due to injuries that sidelined him for most of the campaign. Awoniyi only made 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring 6 goals and delivering 3 assists.
This season, the 26-year-old has struggled to regain his rhythm and has not been a consistent starter.
Before Monday’s game, he had featured in five matches without a goal or assist, with three appearances off the bench and two starts.
Awoniyi missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in February after aggravating a groin injury, but he made his return to the Super Eagles squad in September under coach Austin Eguavoen.
Despite his return, he saw limited action playing just a minute in the AFCON qualifiers.
He was left on the bench during Nigeria’s win against Benin in Uyo but was later introduced for another cameo against Rwanda.
Nottingham Forest coach, Nuno Espírito Santo has also weighed in on Awoniyi’s situation, expressing hope that more competitive action will help the striker regain his best form.