Former Nigerian forward Anthony Ujah has praised compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi’s strong mentality, expressing confidence that he can make impact when given playing time, SportPremi reports.
Awoniyi scored his first goal in nearly a year in Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 win at Brentford last Sunday with the second goal of that clash.
The Super Eagles striker latched on to a long ball and was too powerful for the defender before finding the back of the net with a neat finish to seal the win and move his side five points above the relegation zone.
The former Union Berlin forward suffered a horrific abdominal injury during a Premier League match against Leicester City after clattering with the goalpost and was placed in a medically induced coma for a day after undergoing abdominal surgery.
The 28-year-old will hope Sunday’s goal is a sign of things to come as he continues to stake a claim for more playing minutes in the Tricky Trees squad.
Ujah hails Awoniyi mental strength
Anthony Ujah, who was teammates with Awoniyi at German club Union Berlin before his retirement, acknowledges the quality of the Nottingham Forest forward and says he only needs playing minutes to make an impact.
“I’m personally very happy for Taiwo [Awoniyi]. It has not been an easy time, but one thing I know about him is that all he needs is to be on the pitch. It doesn’t matter what the situation is at the club or the amount of pressure around him — as long as he is fit and on the pitch, he will always deliver”, Ujah admitted.
“He’s a boy I spent a lot of time with at Union Berlin, and I got to know him very well. He has a very strong mentality. Very strong. He has been very unlucky with the injuries he has had over the past year.
That alone shows his character and how mentally strong he is. He is always coming back and always delivering, even when people no longer expect”, the former Nigerian forward added.
“Some players find it very difficult to return after long periods out because of pressure and expectations, but all Taiwo needs is to be on the pitch. He has proven over and over again that he is a Premier League player, and I’m glad he showed that again in just a few minutes on the pitch.
He is also one of the experienced players we need in the national team. If he maintains this form and stays fit, I have no doubt he will continue to be a vital player for his team”, he concluded.
Awoniyi will be hoping for more minutes when Forest host Christantus Uche’s Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
