Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed a strong belief in Taiwo Awoniyi’s potential, emphasizing the value of regular game time for the Super Eagles forward.
Awoniyi, 27, earned his first start of the season in Forest’s narrow 1-0 loss to Fulham last weekend, where he partnered with Chris Wood in the attack, in what was their first loss of the campaign.
Reflecting on Awoniyi’s performance, Espirito Santo was encouraged by what he saw.
“All strikers need that moment, but Awoniyi did well against Fulham. It’s been a while since he started,” Nuno said.
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“He played 45 minutes and created a lot of situations. It was an option to put him alongside Wood. It’s something we have to work on and improve because it can give us good results, but that was the first time (of used it). I think he did well.”
As Awoniyi prepares to join the Nigerian national team for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers, Nuno highlighted the importance of the player getting playing time.
“Now it’s about managing him. Now he goes to the national team. I hope he plays because what Taiwo needs is to be competing. Hopefully, when he returns, he is another option for us.”
Awoniyi has been called up by Nigeria’s interim coach Augustine Eguavoen for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, where he will be looking to gain more playing time after featuring for just a minute in his last appearance for the Super Eagles.
Taiwo Awoniyi (L) and Joe Aribo warm. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)
Since joining Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin two seasons ago, Awoniyi has struggled with injuries but hopes to regain his form and make a significant impact this season.
