The survival of the English Premier League side, Nottingham Forest, in the top flight of English football in the concluding part of the 2022/2023 campaign owes much to the particularly timely goal-scoring involvement of Taiwo Awoniyi. Since his arrival from Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, Awoniyi’s remarkable performances have played a pivotal role in securing Forest’s coveted position among the Premier League elite for the 2023/2024 season.
Forest were initially staring at the imminent threat of relegation, but they found their salvation in Awoniyi’s sublime performances during the final month of the campaign. His extraordinary ability to find the back of the net resulted in five crucial goals in just three games, earning seven valuable points out of a possible nine. These remarkable achievements solidified Forest’s place among the top teams in the league keeping them up for another 38 matches of elite English football and all the benefits that accrues from that.
The heroics of the 25-year-old in keeping Forest up began with a thrilling brace in their captivating 4-3 victory over fellow strugglers and the now-relegated Southampton. This match marked the first instance where the striker scored twice in a single English Premier League match since his active participation in English football after arriving the previous summer. His unwavering determination showcased his rising star status and pointer as to what was to come from his boots before the end of the season.
Continuing this scintillating form, Awoniyi secured another impactful brace during the crucial 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was a performance that solidified his reputation as a potent goal-scoring threat and showcased his ability to perform against top-level opposition, even under extreme pressure.
Although they were pivotal goals, Awoniyi’s four goals in two matches for Nottingham Forest did not guarantee the East Midlands club a place in next season’s EPL class of Premiership teams. Indeed, their top-flight status was hanging in the balance as they went to the Emirates to take on title hopefuls Arsenal. It was there that, against the expectations of pundits and the forecasts of bookies, Awoniyi displayed a lethal touch of brilliance by scoring the decisive winning goal in their triumph on the road against Arsenal. This monumental victory, achieved through the Nigerian’s unwavering commitment and extraordinary skill, ensured Forest’s survival for another season in the prestigious EPL.
Awoniyi’s accomplishments for Forest concludes the first chapter of his long-awaited dream of playing in the EPL, which he finally realised when he moved from Union Berlin before the start of thus concluding season. He ought to have started this stage of his career earlier at Liverpool, but after signing a contract with the club in 2015, he encountered some challenges due to work permit issues, leading to multiple loan spells in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Despite Awoniyi’s potential, he was unable to feature even once for Liverpool all the time he was there. Eventually, after six frustrating years, he received his work permit in the 2020/2021 season. Unfortunately, by that time, Liverpool could not find a place for him in their squad and ultimately sold him to Union Berlin, where he had impressed on loan the previous season.
Awoniyi made an immediate impact in the Bundesliga, becoming a regular starter for Union Berlin. In 28 games, he showcased his goal-scoring ability and playmaking skills, recording an impressive tally of 14 goals and 14 assists. His performances caught the attention of EPL clubs, and he remained determined to return to England, citing family and football reasons for his desire to play in the EPL. Awoniyi’s consistency and impressive form earned him a dream-come-true move back to England, joining Nottingham Forest for the 2022/2023 season.
Nottingham Forest, known for their competitive spirit, showcased their potential with a successful FA Cup run, defeating Leicester City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal before narrowly losing to Liverpool in the quarter-finals. The team’s strong performance generated momentum that carried them to success in the Championship, culminating in a victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley. Awoniyi’s arrival, as the club’s record summer signing from Union Berlin, was tailored to add strength to Forest’s frontline and it generated excitement among Nigerian fans.
Awoniyi’s exceptional form not only propelled Steve Cooper’s team out of the bottom three but ensured that Southampton, Leicester, and Everton were incapable of finding any opportunity to overtake them. His form at the end of the season saw Awoniyi emerge as one of the most efficient forwards this season, currently boasting the sixth-highest conversion rate. With a remarkable rate of 24.2 percent, as reported by Whoscored.com, he ranks only behind five other players in the league. All of this despite limited starts and minutes on the field, with just 16 starts and 1,322 minutes. Erling Haaland holds the highest conversion rate, an impressive 31.3 percent. In second place is Newcastle’s Callum Wilson with a conversion rate of 26.2 percent. Man City’s Phil Foden closely follows with a rate of 25.6 percent. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak boasts a conversion rate of 24.4 percent, while Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino trails slightly behind at 24.3 percent.
Furthermore, Awoniyi achieved a historic milestone by scoring goals in three consecutive league games. It meant that he joined an exclusive group of players who have achieved this feat for Nottingham Forest. Previously, only Dougie Freedman and Danilo had done this. Freedman achieved the feat during the 1998/1999 season, while Danilo matched it in the current season. Awoniyi’s goal against Arsenal therefore also cemented his place in the club’s history. The Nigerian forward was able to accomplish all these despite also being sidelined for approximately two months due to a groin injury. But, Awoniyi made a successful comeback for Nottingham Forest, and throughout the season, showcased his abilities in 25 league appearances, contributing 10 goals and one assist for Cooper’s team.
As incredible a footballer as he is, Awoniyi’s impact extends beyond the football pitch. His generosity and dedication to the community have earned him admiration and gratitude. Joshua Yisa, the Kwara state coordinator for school sports, commended Awoniyi for sponsoring the construction of a football dressing room at Sheikh Abdulkadir College in Ilorin, Kwara state. The improved facilities will benefit numerous youths, providing them with better opportunities to pursue their dreams through sports. Awoniyi’s role in launching the ‘Never Stop Dreaming Cup 2023,’ a prestigious football tournament involving 26 academies across the state, was also recognized. Yisa praised Awoniyi for positively influencing the lives of young individuals and nurturing their dreams through sports.
There is a lot that can be said in adulation of the striker. Awoniyi’s awe-inspiring contributions were acknowledged by the Nottingham Forest club management, who took to their official Twitter account to honour their prodigious marksman. They highlighted his exceptional achievement of scoring more Premier League goals in the month of May than any other player in the club, accomplishing this remarkable feat in just three matches that more or less secured their EPL survival. Indeed, Awoniyi’s former club, Union Berlin, did not hold back in showering praise on him for his exceptional performances at Forest. During his time in Germany, Awoniyi scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 64 appearances, contributing significantly to Union Berlin’s qualification for the Europa League. Berlin acknowledged his impact on social media, hailing him as a “big player for big moments.” He has shown this at Nottingham Forest, leaving an indelible sense of gratitude in the club’s grateful fans. His exceptional goal-scoring ability, historic achievements, community contributions, and recognition from his former club showcase his immense impact both on and off the pitch.
As Nottingham Forest secured their place in the Premier League for another season, Awoniyi’s performances have been instrumental in their fight for survival. His dedication to improving the lives of young individuals through sports further cements his status as a remarkable athlete and community champion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
