Nottingham Forest striker Awoniyi withdraws from Nigeria squad to face Saudi Arabia, Mozambique

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has pulled out of the Super Eagles squad ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup winner has suffered a significant injury and will not be on the plane to Portugal early next week. 

Nigeria have fitness concerns ahead of the internationals this month, with Ola Aina out with a muscle-related injury, while West Brom's Semi Ajayi, Fulham's Calvin Bassey and Gent central defender Jordan Torunarigha recently recovered from injuries. 

Awoniyi was left out of the matchday squad for the ongoing game against Crystal Palace due to a groin injury that would see him sidelined for at least one month.

The Super Eagles striker was not spotted in any training images published by Nottingham Forest's official website before their trip to the English capital. 

Awoniyi suffered the injury during Nottingham Forest's 1-1 draw with Brentford in the penultimate round of matches in the Premier League - a game in which he made way for Chris Wood with nine minutes left. 

The 26-year-old has been Nottingham Forest's goal-getter since the backend of last season, with nine goals in his last eleven matches in the Premier League. 

The Super Eagles take on the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, 13th October 2023, starting at 5pm before a clash with the Mambas of Mozambique in the same city three days later.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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