Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has spoken emotionally about the devastating injury suffered by team-mate Taiwo Awoniyi, revealing that the squad has been left shaken by the ordeal but united in support.
Awoniyi, 27, was rushed to hospital following Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester on Sunday after colliding with a goalpost late in the game.
The Nigeria striker underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine and was placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery.
He regained consciousness on Wednesday night and is said to be recovering well, surrounded by his family.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Aina described the incident as “horrible,” adding, “This is our team-mate 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.”
“I Thought He’d Run It Off”
Aina admitted that, like many of his teammates, he initially underestimated the seriousness of the injury when Awoniyi briefly returned to the field.
“I didn’t even know what happened at the time and I didn’t realise how serious it was,” he said.
“When I saw him come back on I thought, ‘He’ll run it off.’ You don’t want to stop. But then after the game, we heard the news and it was shocking.”
The incident has sparked renewed debate around the offside rule and the modern instruction for assistant referees to delay raising their flags until a phase of play is complete.
Aina believes the injury could have been avoided.
“Anthony [Elanga] was miles offside. The whole world could see it. If the flag had just gone up, none of this would have happened to T. It’s hard to accept.”
A Season of Highs and Lows
Awoniyi’s injury casts a shadow over what has been a promising season for Forest, who have already secured European qualification for the first time since the mid-1990s.
But a late-season dip in form has seen them fall from Champions League contention.
“It’s frustrating,” said Aina.
“Myself and the team have worked so hard to put ourselves in the best situation. But sometimes football doesn’t work the way you want it to.”
Forest face crucial fixtures against West Ham and Aina’s former club Chelsea to determine their European fate.
“It’s still massive whatever the competition is next season,” he added.
“Europe is a massive achievement. But as players you have ambitions. We just have to look at the positives.”
“He’s One of Us”
Aina gave further insight into Awoniyi’s character, describing him as a quiet, grounded presence in the dressing room.
“T is a very chilled guy. He doesn’t like to get in the way. He goes about his own business but can have fun as well.
“He’s been in a couple of my videos but he doesn’t like the cameras much, and I respect that.”
Both players share a deep Christian faith and are part of the “Ballers In God” group, alongside teammates Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and several of the club’s Brazilian contingent.
“We have a lot of things in common, me and Taiwo – like our faith. It helps. It’s all good.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Awoniyi’s return, Aina struck a note of gratitude and perspective.
“We should be grateful to be in this position and be grateful for the things we are fighting for.
“Our team-mate hurt himself at the weekend – that’s what matters. That’s the perspective right there.”
