Bundesliga: Liverpool Loanee Awoniyi Assures Mainz Stars Are Ready

The German top-flight becomes the first of the major European leagues to get football back on the pitch, a development which excites the Nigerian forward

Taiwo Awoniyi and his Mainz colleagues can’t wait to get the Bundesliga restarted this weekend ten weeks after games were called off due to the breakout of the coronavirus.

Former Nigeria U-17 starlet Awoniyi is expected to play a part as his Mainz 04 side host Kingsley Ehizibue’s Cologne on Sunday. The game is billed to be played at the 50,000 capacity Müngersdorfer Stadion but without the fans.

The Billy Goats sit in 15th place on the Bundesliga table four points above the relegation zone, and every point earned could prove crucial with nine rounds of matches remaining.

But Awoniyi, on-loan from European champions Liverpool, insists that Mainz are ready for the challenge ahead despite the recent inactivity.

“The (Mainz) players have already switched their mentality 100% to the game,” Awoniyi told BBC Sport Africa.

“This is what we do. Whenever we are called upon, we just have to be prepared for it. I think I am ready as well as all the other players.”

The 22-year-old striker has featured six times for coach Markus Gisdol’s side this campaign and will be looking to be more involved in the business end of the season.