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Ola Aina: Offside Flag Could Have Prevented Awoniyi Injury

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has said the injury that saw teammate Taiwo Awoniyi placed in an induced coma could have been avoided if the the offside flag had gone up in time. The incident in question took place in the closing stages of Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City, where Awoniyi clattered against the post. The forward finished the game despite being in significant pain and sources told ESPN he later underwent “urgent” surgery on an abdominal injury and was placed in a coma to aid recovery. Awoniyi collided with the post in an attempt to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga. The winger had strayed offside in the buildup but as per protocol, the assistant referee only raised his flag once the play was done. “Anthony was miles offside. The whole world could see and so could I from where I was,” Aina told the Daily Mail. “You think ‘offside’ straight away. Surely you could just lift the flag up? Personally I liked how it was back in the day when for offside they just put it up straight away. “A simple decision and get on with the game. Having to see it out and then just see this happen … well none of this would have happened to T [Awoniyi] if the flag had just gone up would it?” In the aftermath of the game, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch and remonstrated with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest later released a statement explaining that the owner’s emotional reaction was due to seeing Awoniyi in immense pain and his frustration at the medical staff for letting him continue the game.

Nottingham Forest to Review Taiwo Awoniyi Injury

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Nottingham Forest are said to be preparing to launch an internal investigation into Sunday’s incident involving Taiwo Awoniyi. The Reds striker sustained a serious abdominal injury when he collided with a post in the closing stages of the 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground. He received treatment before returning to the pitch for the final minutes of the match. Awoniyi was taken to hospital on Monday and underwent surgery, then was placed into an induced coma before undergoing another operation on Wednesday. It is understood he was woken from the induced coma on Wednesday evening. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had been given the thumbs up by Forest’s medical team for Awoniyi to continue playing against Leicester. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was unhappy about the situation, calling it a “misjudgement” from the medical staff in a statement on Sunday night. According to The BBC , Forest are set to open an internal review into the incident to determine why Awoniyi was allowed to continue playing. Nottingham Forest have not confirmed or denied that there will be an internal investigation.

Taiwo Awoniyi Out of Coma After Abdominal Injury

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after he underwent surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury. The Nigerian was brought on as a late substitute when his side faced Leicester City in the Premier League last Sunday, but after colliding with the post in the closing minutes, the forward suffered a ruptured intestine. Despite the serious nature of the injury and footage showing the 27-year-old in discomfort, he played on for the remainder of the match, though he was later taken to hospital. Awoniyi had the first part of the surgery on Monday and spent Tuesday in an induced coma, before the second stage of the operation was completed on Wednesday. The striker was subsequently woken from the induced coma in the early evening after the second stage of the surgery, and Nottingham Forest will reportedly look to establish the key details around why Awoniyi was allowed back on to the field of play. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was criticised for coming onto the pitch against Leicester following the full-time whistle, but he later clarified that he only did so to express concern to manager Nuno Espirito Santo over how Awoniyi’s injury was handled. The injury that Awoniyi suffered is extremely serious, with mortality rates even in the event of surgery standing at 9%, so it is perhaps understandable that Marinakis was deeply concerned. Officials have faced criticism for allowing the passage of play that led up to Awoniyi’s injury to occur given Anthony Elanga was in a clear offside position in the buildup. The rules regarding offsides state that when a clear goalscoring opportunity is likely, assistant referees must delay raising their flag until the phase of play has concluded. While the rule would in principle prevent players from missing out on golden chances in the final third, many pundits have suggested that allowing such passages of play to develop and relying on the intervention of VAR could lead to serious injury. Perhaps the serious nature of Awoniyi’s injury will cause football’s lawmakers to reconsider their stance on when officials should flag for offside.

Taiwo Awoniyi Set To Be Brought Out of Induced Coma After Surgery

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to be brought out of an induced coma on Wednesday after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s match against Leicester. The Nigeria striker was injured after colliding with a post during the 2-2 draw at the City Ground, after which the Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, stormed on to the pitch. Forest anticipate Awoniyi will make a full recovery, though it remains unclear when he will be discharged from hospital. He underwent surgery on Monday. It was a medical decision to place Awoniyi into an induced coma to stabilise his condition and for the 27-year-old’s own comfort. Awoniyi returned to the pitch on Sunday after lengthy treatment after the incident in the 88th minute. Awoniyi clattered against a post in an attempt to meet Anthony Elanga’s cross. Elanga was in an offside position when he collected the ball but the assistant referee did not raise their flag until after Awoniyi’s collision, in line with International Football Association Board (Ifab) guidance. In a statement on Tuesday, Forest said Marinakis’s decision to go on the pitch stemmed from his frustration at the incident, which left Forest, who had used all of their permitted substitutes, with 10 men for the closing stages. A draw dented their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. “His [Marinakis’s] 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,” it read. “He would do the same if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.” Forest also disputed suggestions that Marinakis had a confrontation with the head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, after entering the pitch. “There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue,” the statement said.

Egypt 2025: Zubairu Promises A More Composed Flying Eagles against South Africa

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago06 mins

Aliyu Zubairu has assured that the Nigeria U20 squad will be even better when they take on South Africa’s Amajita in the first semi-final of the ongoing CAF U20 Cup of Nations in the city of Ismailia on Thursday evening. Pundits have praised the seven-time champions for dominating the tough quarter-final encounter against Senegal at the same venue on Monday, before sending the Cup holders out of the tournament after a 3-1 penalty shootout win. “I believe we are going to have a great semi-final against the South Africans. I can guarantee that our approach will be much better, as the anxiety of whether or not we will earn a FIFA World Cup ticket is no longer there. It was a tense 120 minutes for ourselves and the defending champions on Monday. “We have the World Cup ticket now and are quite happy. Against South Africa, we will play with great determination and composure, as we aim for the trophy, but without the tense atmosphere around the last match. Of course, we know the little matter of the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa and what the game means, and we will go in there to do a real battle,” Head Coach Zubairu said on Tuesday. The man who led El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri to win last year’s President Federation Cup competition believes his team has improved considerably since the first match against Tunisia on the first day of May. “We can all see that the team has improved, and actually getting better with each match. We will go all out against the South Africans.” Apart from their seven titles, Nigeria have also finished as runners-up on two occasions (1999 and 2007), and as bronze medallists on two other occasions as well (2009 and 2013). To set up a clash with the most-decorated team in the competition’s history, the Amajita had to also endure a 120-minute affray against the Democratic Republic of Congo, also at the same Suez Canal Authority Stadium where the Flying Eagles upended Senegal’s expectations. They won their own game 1-0 after extra time. Nigeria had collected four of her seven titles (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989) before South Africa (isolated for decades) was assimilated back into global sport following the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990. Amajita’s first experience of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations was in 1997, and they finished as runners-up to hosts and winners Morocco. Nigeria did not qualify for the finals. Four years later, in Ethiopia, both Nigeria and South Africa finished bottom of their pool and exited at the group stage in what remains Nigeria’s worst outing ever in the history of the tournament. In 2009, Nigeria defeated South Africa 2-1 for bronze, and four years later defeated Mali by the same margin to also pick up the bronze medals in Algeria. As hosts in 2011, the Amajita crashed out at the group stage after winning one and losing two matches, while Nigeria roared to her sixth title with a 3-2 defeat of Cameroon in the final in Soweto. In 2015, Nigeria grabbed her seventh title in Senegal, while South Africa’s campaign ran into the sands in the group stage after losses to Ghana and Mali. Eight years ago, Nigeria didn’t qualify for the competition when South Africa finished in fourth place. In 2019, in Niger Republic, Nigeria defeated South Africa 5-3 after penalty shootout to win the bronze medals, after both teams had tied scoreless in a group phase encounter. In the second semi-final on Thursday, hosts and four-time winners Egypt – conquerors of 1999 world champions Ghana -will take on Morocco in Cairo.

NWFL Confirms Sole Approval of ₦200,000 Best Goalkeeper of the Season Award Sponsorship

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has officially confirmed that the only approved sponsorship for the 2024/2025 season is the End-of-Season Best Goalkeeper Award, valued at ₦200,000, and sponsored by the Judith Chime Foundation. The award will be presented at the conclusion of the ongoing NWFL Premiership Super Six, which runs from May 9 to 17, 2025, at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. Following the review of a proposal from the Judith Chime Foundation, the NWFL approved only the goalkeeper award in accordance with its operational guidelines and commitment to professionalism. In a statement, the Chief Operating Officer of the NWFL, Ms. Modupe Shabi, expressed appreciation for the Foundation’s initiative while clarifying the league’s regulatory stance. “We sincerely appreciate the Judith Chime Foundation’s gesture in rewarding excellence among NWFL Premiership goalkeepers. However, it is important to state that only the ₦200,000 End-of-Season Best Goalkeeper Award has been formally approved for the 2024/2025 season,” Shabi said. She also commended Judith Chime, former Super Falcons goalkeeper, for her continued support for women’s football development in Nigeria. “Judith Chime has consistently demonstrated a deep passion for the women’s game. Her Foundation’s contribution reflects our shared goal of spotlighting talent and dedication within the league,” she added. To maintain the league’s standards and commercial framework, the NWFL COO emphasized that no other cash prizes or material donations have been sanctioned. “This decision is part of our commitment to protecting the integrity and value of the NWFL, especially as we continue to attract growing corporate and commercial interest,” Shabi stated. The NWFL remains open to well-structured, transparent partnerships that align with its vision for the sustainable growth of professional women’s football in Nigeria.

NFF, Ogun State Seal Pact on Football Matches and Events!

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Ogun State, the Gateway State, has signed up to be a strategic partner of the Nigeria Football Federation in delivering events, programmes and activities of the football-governing body, in a way that will strengthen the football economy as the country strives to create a vibrant sports economy to support the New Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This pact was sealed in Abeokuta on Sunday after the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and a delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Gateway State, renown and applauded for the excellent serenity it offers, alongside remarkable sporting and social infrastructure, has over the years and decades played host to matches of the various National Teams, as well as matches of major tournaments that Nigeria has hosted, including the FIFA U17 World Cup finals in 2009. The State has also hosted matches of Confederation of African Football club competitions. Recently, the magnificent facility in Ikenne-Remo (Remo Stars Stadium), built by billionaire football investor and philanthropist, Hon. Kunle Soname, has played host to matches of the senior women national team, Super Falcons, and the U17 girls, Flamingos. Few days to the commencement of the 2025 National Sports Festival which the State is hosting, Gusau led a delegation of the NFF to inform His Excellency that, as a result of Ogun State’s ever-growing sporting and cultural relevance in the Nigerian, African and global context, the NFF has decided that the State host the forthcoming friendly matches of the Super Falcons against their Cameroonian counterparts, Indomitable Lionesses. The first match will take place at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday, 31st May while the second match will take place at the newly-renovated MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 3rd June. Ogun State has also been handed the hosting right for the WAFU B U17 Boys Championship that Nigeria will stage in September this year. Gusau’s delegation included the NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman NPFL, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and; Members of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, His Excellency Silas Agara and Ms Aisha Falode.

Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma after urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester. Awoniyi had surgery on Monday evening and while there is no suggestion his condition is life-threatening, it could have been if left untreated. The coma has been induced to restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate in order to aid his recovery, with further treatment expected on Tuesday. The 27-year-old slid into the post late in Sunday’s match, in a passage of play after Anthony Elanga had been clearly offside, before continuing to play after several minutes of treatment. This injury has placed renewed scrutiny on the Premier League’s regulation to continue play in the case of goalscoring opportunities even if a player is noticeably offside in the build-up. Owner Evangelos Marinakis confronted head coach Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the game, which the club have claimed was regarding the medical team’s treatment of Awoniyi. In a statement released on Monday, Forest said: “The seriousness of Awoniyi’s 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. “This principle is not just policy for us, it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Marinakis, this isn’t just a club, it’s family, and he instils that message in all of us. “That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility and emotional investment in one of our own. “He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.” The club then went on to praise their owner’s character and behaviour, saying: “In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.“When he saw our player clearly in discomfort it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines. “It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur. “There was no confrontation, with Nuno or others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.” The statement finished with a plea which appeared to target Gary Neville, who had called for Nuno to resign on Sunday after Marinakis’s on-pitch outburst. They said: “In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgment and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. “Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social-media traction serves no one, least of all the injured player. We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.”