Nottingham Forest Striker Wakes After Induced Coma
In what has been one of the most emotionally charged and distressing weeks in recent Premier League memory, Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been woken from an induced coma following emergency surgery to treat a ruptured intestine.
The Nigeria international, who has been a vital figure in Forest’s campaign, suffered the serious internal injury during the latter stages of the club’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City last weekend. The incident, while shocking in hindsight, appeared routine at the time, as Taiwo Awoniyi collided with the post while trying to reach a cross. The severity of the collision, however, only became apparent after full-time.
Playing Through the Pain: A True Professional
Incredibly, Taiwo Awoniyi reportedly attempted to continue playing even after the impact, clearly unaware of the seriousness of his internal injury. With manager Nuno Espirito Santo having used all his substitutes, the striker’s perseverance on the pitch drew quiet admiration—but also concern.
Shortly after the match, Taiwo Awoniyi’s condition deteriorated and he was rushed into surgery. Doctors identified a rupture in his intestine, requiring immediate medical intervention. He was placed in an induced coma as part of the post-operative recovery plan—a common approach to minimize stress on the body and aid in healing.
According to reports, including a breaking update from the Daily Mail, Taiwo Awoniyi was brought out of the coma on Wednesday evening following a second successful surgical procedure. The football world breathed a collective sigh of relief.
VAR, Offside Rules, and a Player in Pain
The incident has reignited the debate surrounding the Premier League’s offside protocol—an ongoing topic of frustration among players, fans, and analysts alike.
In the build-up to the collision, winger Anthony Elanga had clearly strayed offside. However, in adherence to VAR protocol, the assistant referee delayed raising his flag. This delay allowed play to continue, ultimately resulting in Taiwo Awoniyi’s dangerous attempt at goal and subsequent injury.
Forest right-back Ola Aina did not hold back in his post-match comments:
“Anthony was miles offside. The whole world could see and so could I from where I was. You think ‘offside’ straight away. Surely you could just lift the flag up?”
Aina went on to question the logic behind such delays:
“Personally I liked how it was back in the day when for offside they just put it up straight away. A simple decision and get on with the game. Having to see it out and then just see this happen… well none of this would have happened to T if the flag had just gone up would it?”
A Club and City Rallies Around Their Forward
Nottingham Forest has been understandably shaken by the incident. While players and staff remain focused on their remaining fixtures in the Premier League, the wellbeing of their teammate has become the primary concern.
Aina added:
“This is our teammate and brother and someone we spend most of the year with. It affects everybody in some sort of way. All we can do is show our support and hopefully everything goes well for him now.”
Taiwo Awoniyi has become a well-loved figure at Forest since his arrival from Union Berlin. Known for his humility, work ethic, and commitment to the team, news of his hospitalisation struck a deep emotional chord among fans and teammates alike.
“It’s horrible seeing someone you are close with go through something like this,” Aina continued. “But I pray to God everything goes to plan and goes well and that we will be hearing from him soon. I have sent him messages. We all have.”
Looking Ahead: Health First, Football Second
At this point, there is no timeline for Taiwo Awoniyi’s return to football—and rightly so. While fans will undoubtedly long to see him back on the pitch, the priority now is his full and healthy recovery.
Medical professionals overseeing his care are reportedly optimistic. Early signs of improvement following the surgery and the carefully managed coma have sparked hope that he will make a full recovery. Whether or not he plays football again remains to be seen, but for now, the focus is squarely on his health.
Forest are expected to issue a formal update in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Premier League community continues to rally in support of one of its own.
A Bigger Conversation About Player Safety
This incident has reopened wider conversations about player safety and the dangers of delayed officiating. While VAR was introduced to eliminate human error and ensure accuracy, many in the game are now asking if the pendulum has swung too far in favour of procedure over instinct.
With Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury providing a sobering example of the consequences of inaction, pressure is mounting on governing bodies to revise current protocols. Whether it leads to tangible change remains to be seen, but for now, the hope is that no more players will suffer preventable injuries due to hesitation from match officials.
The Heartbeat of the Squad
In every sense, Taiwo Awoniyi represents the heartbeat of this Nottingham Forest squad. His resilience on the field and in the hospital room speaks volumes. As fans await more positive news, the message from teammates, club officials, and supporters is unanimous: take all the time you need, T. We’ll be here when you’re ready.
For now, football takes a backseat. The real win this week is seeing Taiwo Awoniyi awake, alert, and on the road to recovery.
