Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi's participation in Nigeria's upcoming friendlies against Ghana and Mali hangs in the balance due to injury concerns, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Awoniyi, absent from Forest's recent draw against Luton Town, has left manager Nuno Espirito Santo worried about his fitness.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Santo expressed concern over Awoniyi's injury, stating, "We need our strikers to finish and score. Unfortunately, we’ve had a big blow with the fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi—he had a knock during the week so let’s see how he is—so hopefully Chris stays well. It is important that we keep him fit."
The 26-year-old has faced a string of injury setbacks since joining Nottingham Forest, spending a significant period on the sidelines earlier this season due to a groin problem, which also ruled him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria is set to play Ghana on March 22, followed by a clash with Mali four days later, with Awoniyi's availability yet to be confirmed.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun