Taiwo Awoniyi set to emerge from induced coma after abdominal surgery

Taiwo Awoniyi, Nigerian Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker, is expected to be brought out of an induced coma on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, following emergency surgery.

Awoniyi had gone in for a serious abdominal injury he suffered during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.

The injury occurred late in the game at the City Ground, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Awoniyi, collided forcefully with the goalpost in the 88th minute while trying to connect with a cross from his teammate Anthony Elanga.

The incident led to grave concerns about his health and prompted swift medical intervention.

Immediately following the injury, Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, stormed onto the pitch, visibly distressed by the severity of the situation.

While Forest have expressed optimism about Awoniyi’s full recovery, there is no confirmed timeline for his discharge from the hospital.

The club confirmed that he underwent surgery on Monday and was placed into an induced coma afterward.

This decision was made by the medical team to stabilize his condition and for the player’s own comfort during recovery.

Awoniyi is 27 years old and had initially returned to the field after receiving treatment, but the extent of his injuries later necessitated hospitalization.

The incident took place after Elanga, who was in an offside position when he received the ball, crossed it into the area.

Awoniyi rushed in to try and make contact but instead crashed into the post.

The assistant referee did not immediately raise the flag for offside, following the current International Football Association Board (IFAB) guidelines.

The guidelines advise delaying such decisions until the attacking move concludes.

This delay in officiating meant that Awoniyi’s injury occurred before play was stopped, leaving Forest temporarily down to 10 men since they had already used all of their permitted substitutions.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Nottingham Forest explained that Marinakis’s pitch invasion was not a result of a breakdown in discipline but rather an emotional reaction to the sight of a player suffering.

The club emphasized that Marinakis’s decision to enter the field came from genuine concern and frustration over the handling of the incident.

“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore, triggered him to go on the pitch,” the statement read.

Forest added that Marinakis would respond in the same manner should a similar situation occur in the future.

The club also addressed rumors suggesting that Marinakis had an altercation with Forest’s head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, during the incident.

They firmly denied any conflict between the two, stating that there was only a shared sense of frustration about how the medical situation was managed.

“There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the statement clarified.

The match itself ended in a 2-2 draw, a result that hindered Nottingham Forest’s aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League.

The team was forced to finish the game a man down due to Awoniyi’s exit and the lack of available substitutions.

The club’s public response aimed not only to defend the owner’s actions but also to draw attention to broader concerns about officiating protocols and player safety.

Overall, Forest are prioritizing Awoniyi’s recovery and health, with medical professionals closely monitoring his condition.

While the club remains hopeful for his full recovery, they continue to await further developments regarding his release from hospital care.