After weeks in intensive care and an induced coma, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi stepped back onto the pitch yesterday for the first time since his life-threatening abdominal operation—and the reception was nothing short of electric.
Awoniyi, who suffered a severe abdominal injury in early May against Leicester City, was greeted by a roar of approval as he emerged onto the City Ground turf before Forest’s crucial clash with Chelsea. Fans rose as one, clapping and chanting his name, their applause echoing around the stadium.
“He’s one of us,” sang the supporters, many of whom wore T-shirts bearing his image. As Awoniyi paused at the edge of the playing surface, visibly moved, cameras captured the moment thousands of Forest faithful saluted the Nigerian international’s bravery and resilience.
Though still sidelined, Awoniyi watched on from the dugout as his teammates battled for a coveted Champions League place. Forest ultimately fell 1–0 to Chelsea, settling for a seventh-place finish—but the mood inside the ground was far from sombre on this special evening.
Moments before kickoff, Awoniyi shared a heartfelt message on social media, thanking doctors, teammates, club staff and—and importantly—fans in Nigeria. “With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling,” he wrote. “Seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say. Keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way.”
Forest manager Steve Cooper echoed the crowd’s emotion. “That reception was a reminder of what this club means to people,” he said. “Taiwo’s strength through this ordeal inspires us all.”
Awoniyi’s journey from operating table to centre stage at the City Ground underscores the powerful bond between player and supporters—and hints at the impact he will have once fully recovered. For now, his triumphant return has delivered a much-needed lift to Forest’s faithful, and a moment of pride for football fans in Nigeria and beyond.