There’s a wave of relief among fans of Nigerian footballer Taiwo Awoniyi as the Super Eagles striker has reportedly woken up from an induced coma following a successful surgery to treat a serious abdominal injury.
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Sources close to the player confirmed that the Nottingham Forest forward, who recently underwent a critical procedure to address internal complications, had to be placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery and manage pain during post-operative care.
The situation sparked major concern across the Nigerian football community and beyond, with well-wishers and teammates flooding social media with prayers and support for the 26-year-old.
According to medical updates obtained by ConfirmNews, Awoniyi regained consciousness in the early hours of Tuesday and is now stable, responsive, and surrounded by close family members.
The extent of the injury, believed to have been aggravated during training, had sidelined the striker for weeks before surgery became inevitable. Medical experts opted for the induced coma as part of post-surgery management to stabilize his vital organs and reduce trauma.
Awoniyi’s club, Nottingham Forest, is yet to release an official statement but is expected to brief the media on his condition in the coming hours. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is also monitoring the situation closely.
Awoniyi, who played a key role in Nigeria’s qualification campaign for international competitions and has been a standout performer in the English Premier League, will now begin a long road to recovery. It remains unclear when he will return to active football, with medical personnel placing his full rehabilitation period between three to six months, depending on his recovery speed.
Fans, fellow players, and football stakeholders across the world have continued to wish the Nigerian international a speedy recovery.
More updates to follow.