The former Nigerian youth international is one of Nigeria’s most in-form strikers in Europe at the moment, and he is convinced that he is reaping the rewards of setting his priorities right
Taiwo Awoniyi has been excellent this season, scoring five goals in his last seven games for high-flying Union Berlin. The on-loan Liverpool forward says he has been doing well because he has focused on helping the team first.
This is Awoniyi’s third campaign in Germany, but never has he been this productive or influential.
The Nigerian forward managed just one league goal for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga 2 while on loan in 2015-16 and found the back of the net once when at Mainz last term in the Bundesliga.
But Union Berlin have been able to unleash a more matured and more efficient Awoniyi on their opponents, and the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup winner has been enjoying every bit of it.
Taiwo Awoniyi's last 7 games 👇
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) January 4, 2021
vs Köln: ⚽
vs Frankfurt 🅰️
vs Hertha: ⚽
vs Bayern:
vs Stuttgart: ⚽
vs Dortmund: ⚽
vs Werder: ⚽🅰️
Coming up trumps ♦️ pic.twitter.com/j0ByKy8S9d
And the 23-year-old knows he must continue working hard for the team to keep his form up.
“For me it’s always about the team,” he told bundesliga.com.
“Always fighting, working, doing everything for the team. And for a striker, I believe once you put that first, the rest of the things will come.”
Awoniyi’s recent scoring run started with the opener in the 2-1 success at Cologne on Matchday 8.
The former Golden Eaglets hero then claimed an assist against former club Frankfurt before breaching the net against Hertha Berlin, Stuttgart, and Borussia Dortmund.
His latest contribution includes a goal and an assist in the Matchday 14 win at Werder Bremen. Awoniyi will hope to continue his brilliant scoring run when Union Berlin host Wolfsburg on Saturday.