Nuno dedicates Forest win to Taiwo Awoniyi

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo dedicated his side’s crucial 2-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday to Taiwo Awoniyi, as the Nigerian striker recovers from a life-threatening abdominal injury.

The 27-year-old Nigerian forward underwent emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma after a freak collision with a goalpost during last weekend’s draw with Leicester.

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In his first public message since the incident, Awoniyi said he was grateful to be alive, writing on Instagram.

“With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.”

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Tribute to Awoniyi

Before kickoff at the London Stadium, Forest players warmed up in special shirts bearing Awoniyi’s name and No. 9, with the message “We’re all with you, Taiwo” on the front.

Morgan Gibbs-White, who opened the scoring, held up Awoniyi’s shirt in a heartfelt tribute after netting the opener.

“The whole week has been tough on everyone,” Gibbs-White said. Wednesday was our first day back, and the place was pretty lifeless“. Everyone was praying and wishing him well. He’s come round on a good path, and that win today was for him.”

Nuno echoed the sentiment:

“Since the beginning of our preparations, ‘T’ was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation. The boys really wanted to do it for him. That was our final word: ‘Let’s give it a push.’
He is someone we admire; his smile is contagious. The boys did it for him. We are so proud.”

Champions League dream still alive

Nikola Milenkovic added Forest’s second, and though Jarrod Bowen pulled one back for West Ham, the visitors held on for a win that keeps their Champions League hopes alive.

Forest sit seventh, one point behind Aston Villa and Manchester City, and must beat fourth-placed Chelsea on the final day at the City Ground while hoping both rivals slip up to reach Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 1980/81.

“From the beginning of the season, we wanted to be in this fight,” Nuno said. “The last game at the City Ground will be huge, and we are trying to make something magical.”