Awoniyi responds to Rohr snub with a sterling performance for Union Berlin

The 23-year-old attacker was not included in the Super Eagles squad for the just-concluded international break, but he has responded in the perfect way 

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has responded to Gernot Rohr’s snub with a goal in Union Berlin’s 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin on Saturday evening.

Awoniyi was not called up by Rohr for Nigeria’s games against Liberia and Cape Verde despite scoring more than any other Nigerian strikers in all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues this season.

The former Mainz striker has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Union Berlin, including eight in the Bundesliga, but it was not enough to earn him a call-up to the last Super Eagles squad.

However, while he would have been disappointed to miss out, Awoniyi put the disappointment behind him as he scored his eighth league goal of the season in Union’s win over their city rivals.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring for the home side in the eighth minute after he capitalised on an error at the back from Hertha.

Niko Giesselmann then set up Christopher Trimmel in the 30th for Union’s second goal, which turned out to be the final goal of the game.

The win lifts Union to fifth on the Bundesliga table, having garnered 20 points from 12 points.