Awoniyi lands in Lagos ahead of return to Nottingham Forest, ruled out of Zimbabwe v Nigeria 

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of Nigeria's matchday two 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium, Butare. 

Providing a squad update on Friday, the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that Awoniyi is not available for selection against the Warriors.  

It has come to light that he played through the pain barrier during the Super Eagles' 1-1 draw with Lesotho on Thursday and was later replaced around the hour mark. 

Preliminary tests carried out on the Notttingham Forest center forward revealed that he suffered a relapse of a groin injury. 

Awoniyi will return to England tonight after discussions between Nottingham Forest doctors and Super Eagles medical team.

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that the former Liverpool player flew to Lagos from Uyo on Friday and according to his flight schedule, the airplane was supposed to depart Victor Attah International Airport at 1210 hours.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles’ delegation to Sunday’s day two encounter against the Warriors  will arrive in Rwanda – Zimbabwe’s adopted home – in the early hours of Saturday.

The delegation of players and officials will travel to East Africa aboard a chartered aircraft that will depart from the Victor Attah International Airport by midnight, and touch down in Kigali at dawn, before a two-hour road trip to Butare, the city where the match venue is located.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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