Nottingham Forest Archives | Page 2 of 2

Taiwo Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months 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.”

Nottingham Forest Trials For 3 Nigerian Players

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Nottingham Forest, currently sitting fourth in the English Premier League table with 60 points, is set to give three Nigerian players from Unicorns Football Club of Ilorin a chance to shine. Left winger Olamide Sunday Olasehinde, central defender Sulyman Kehinde Quadri, and midfielder Sanni Sukanmi Adebayo have arrived in the UK for a two-week trial with the club. Unicorns FC CEO Victor Awoniyi expressed his excitement about the trials and plans to utilise this opportunity to showcase the country’s abundant football talents. The trio’s trial is part of a larger trend, with Unicorns FC having successfully sent no fewer than nine players abroad in the last one year. Secretary of the team, Suleiman Atunrase accompanied the players during their stay in the UK, allowing them to focus on the game. This opportunity comes as English football continues to attract top talents worldwide. Nottingham Forest striker, Taiwo Awoniyi who expressed delight at the opportunity, said representing Nigeria in major international tournaments, such as the Under-15 and Under-17 World Cup, was a pivotal moment in his career. He, however, recognised that many young talents in Nigeria are not as fortunate. “With Nigeria’s vast pool of talented individuals, making it to the national team is a remarkable achievement. “By creating opportunities for these young talents, we are not only giving them a chance to showcase their skills but also making their dreams a reality,” Awoniyi said. He further explained that providing platforms for young talents to develop and grow is essential in nurturing the next generation of football stars. “It’s a privilege to be part of initiatives that help young players achieve their goals and pursue their passions,” Awoniyi added. He concluded by saying arrangements are also in top gear to send more players across Europe for a chance to achieve their dreams.

EPL: Ola Aina May Return Against Everton

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Ola Aina would be back for Everton although that feels like a bit of a long shot, some reports had claimed. The 27-year-old was struck down with a calf problem against United and it’s not clear how long he will be out for. Now, a photograph has been shared on the player’s official Snapchat and it would seem that he’s still not walking without the aid of crutches. That does feel like a blow for Forest as the team will undoubtedly view the home games as winable and crucial in the quest for Champions League football. The Nigerian international has been one of the most consistent players this season and would be in the running for Player of the Year. Aina is very important to the way in which Espirito Santo wants his teams to play and the hope will be that he can be back on the pitch in no time.

Nottingham Forest gives updates on Ola Aina

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago03 mins

Nottingham Forest hope to have Ola Aina available for their trip Arsenal after returning from international duty with Nigeria ahead of schedule last week. Aina has been in superb form this season, almost ever-present in Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI with Forest riding high in fifth place. The right-back completed the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest prior to the international break and played 83 minutes for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin last Thursday. The former Chelsea youngster was replaced late on, subsequently receiving treatment for an issue suffered in the match. That 1-1 draw against Benin ensured Nigeria qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare. With Forest in direct communication with the Nigerian FA, an agreement was met to allow Aina to miss Monday’s game against Rwanda, returning to the UK late last week for treatment back at Forest. ‘Before our match against Benin, I spoke with an official from Nottingham Forest, and subsequently received a message from Nuno, the manager, asking if we could release Ola Aina since they are facing Arsenal next weekend. ‘I agreed, stating that if we managed to get a positive result in Côte d’Ivoire, we’d maintain our good rapport. We have alternative players available, so in light of this, it was important to sustain the relationship,’ Nigeria’s interim coach Austin Eguavoen said in an interview. An official statement from the Nigeria Football Federation added: ‘English Premier League side Nottingham Forest fervently requested that wing-back Olaoluwa Aina be permitted to return to the UK for their pivotal match, having already secured qualification for AFCON.’ Aina will be assessed this week with reports in Nigeria claiming the reason for his substitution last week may have been fatigue. Forest head to north London to take on Arsenal at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.