Taiwo Awoniyi is thrilled to return to the Super Eagles after a 10-month absence occasioned by injuries, with the Nottingham Forest player downplaying the challenge of earning a spot in the starting XI against Benin Republic and Rwanda.
Awoniyi, 27, has made a meagre eight appearances for the Eagles, scoring two goals, with his run with the team limited by a spate of injuries, which steadily pushed him down the pecking order behind Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface.
The former Union Berlin player is back in the fold since suffering an injury during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo in November 2023.
The striker was substituted in the 59th minute after he aggravated his groin injury in the crucial match.
In December, Awoniyi started his recovery as he pushed to be fit for the AFCON in Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, he couldn’t recover in time for the tournament, where Nigeria finished as runners-up.
On January 30, the former Liverpool player returned to action against Arsenal only to pick up another injury in less than three weeks in their 2-0 win over West Ham.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest’s former coach, had said he hoped the injury wasn’t serious, but the Nigerian eventually missed another month of action, ruling him out of the country’s friendly games against Ghana and Mali in March.
Despite being close to returning to action, the 27-year-old suffered a setback and once again was not available for the World Cup qualifier against South Africa and Benin Republic in June despite being initially named in the squad.
While he is pleased to be back to full fitness and named in the Eagles squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, the Ilorin-born striker downplayed the challenge of earning a spot in the starting XI.
“Playing for the Super Eagles is a great privilege for every player, and everyone wants to be part of it,” Awoniyi said in an interview with Flashscore.
“Everyone called up is excited about it, and I believe each and every one is going to give his best for the country.
“We all are doing very well for ourselves, and playing for the Super Eagles is like giving back what the country has given us. And we are doing that as a team.
“I think whoever is playing or whoever is starting doesn’t matter really. What matters is putting the country first and ensuring we win, which I believe would bring a lot of joy to so many Nigerians.”
In their game against Gernot Rohr’s side, which defeated the Eagles in their World Cup qualifier in June, Awoniyi believes the three-time Africa champions have the talent to secure all three points.
“We know what is at stake. For the fact that we lost against them and the second factor is that we are playing at home now, this should be to our advantage.
“As I have always said, football is about doing well for yourself, working hard as a team, and playing for each other.
“If we do that, I believe we will have the three points because we have the talents.”
Three days after facing the Benin Republic, Nigeria will head to Kigali to take on Rwanda’s senior national team at Stade Amahoro.
