Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi Awake After Surgery For Serious Injury.
Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness following an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured intestine, sustained during a collision with a goalpost in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City.
The incident occurred late in the match, with Awoniyi receiving extensive medical attention on the pitch. Despite appearing to signal he could continue, the Nigerian striker remained on the field, as head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had already used all available substitutes. Post-match, club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed concern to Espirito Santo about the handling of the situation, with television footage showing Awoniyi visibly uncomfortable.
Awoniyi was admitted to hospital on Monday, where he underwent the first stage of surgery. He was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday as medics monitored his condition. The second stage of the operation, including wound closure, was completed on Wednesday, and Awoniyi was woken from the coma that evening.
Nottingham Forest confirmed the surgery in a statement on Tuesday, expressing “shared frustration” that the club’s medical team allowed Awoniyi to continue playing. The club has announced an internal review to investigate why the striker was permitted to remain on the pitch.
“Potentially Life-Threatening” Injury
Medical experts have underscored the severity of Awoniyi’s injury. Consultant colorectal surgeon Professor Gillian Tierney told BBC Sport that a ruptured intestine is “really serious” and “potentially life-threatening,” with a mortality rate of 9%. She noted that such injuries can be difficult to diagnose immediately, particularly in a fit athlete fuelled by adrenaline. “Fluid leaking from the intestine would not be easy to diagnose straight away,” Tierney explained, adding that a CT scan, which can take hours, is typically required.
Mr Harpaul Flora, a consultant surgeon at The London Clinic, described ruptured intestines as “a pretty rare injury,” often caused by compression of the abdominal wall or a torn artery. He stressed that without hospital treatment, the injury could lead to infections or sepsis, a life-threatening condition. “Neither [cause] would be diagnosable without a scan,” Flora added.
Awoniyi’s fitness as a professional athlete likely contributed to his positive prognosis, with Tierney noting that a healthy individual stands a good chance of recovery following such a procedure.
Nottingham Forest’s review will focus on the decisions made by the medical team during the match, as the club seeks to ensure such incidents are handled more effectively in the future. Fans and teammates alike will be relieved to hear of Awoniyi’s progress as he begins his recovery.