Injury stopped the Nigeria international from participating in the 34th edition of the continental championships in Cote d'Ivoire
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has responded to claims he has become ‘fat' as he stepped up his rehabilitation following a lengthy period on the sidelines, Soccernet.ng reports.
Awoniyi has been down for several weeks with a groin injury he picked up on international duty for Nigeria in November.
The 26-year-old forward's last match for Nottingham Forest was the Reds' 3-2 defeat at West Ham United on November 12. He scored his side's first goal in that encounter, equalising in the 44th minute after Lucas Paquetá had given the home team a 3rd-minute lead.
Four days later, Awoniyi started Nigeria's crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, a match the Super Eagles drew 1-1 inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The former Liverpool signing did not make it back for Nigeria's clash with Zimbabwe on the 16th, as he returned to England for instant treatment.
However, Awoniyi has not kicked a ball since, as the injury kept him out of Nottingham Forest's engagements as well as Nigeria's campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen firing in attack for the Super Eagles, Nigeria have excelled in Awoniyi's absence, reaching the quarterfinals of the AFCON for the first time since 2019.
Awoniyi is, however, close to returning to full fitness and could be available for selection for Nottingham Forest in the coming days, having been spotted in training.
One of Awoniyi's training pictures made its way to the social media platform X, eliciting different reactions from supporters.
One of those comments from an X user wondered why the striker had gained a lot of weight while he was away for more than two months.
https://twitter.com/Shegegong/status/1752259822529990806
“How come Awoniyi is now this fat?” the X user noted.
However, Awoniyi reacted quickly, informing the fan that the clothes he had on made him look bigger.
Bros na cloth ooo https://t.co/sFf2q3FSDc
— AWONIYI TAIWO (@taiwoawoniyi18) January 30, 2024
“Bros na cloth ooo,” the former Union Berlin star replied to his accuser.
Still not satisfied, Awoniyi recorded a short video of himself in the gym, looking perfectly in shape, and rubbishing all talks of him being overweight.
Awoniyi could be in the Nottingham Forest squad that will host Arsenal at the City Ground today in a Premier League clash.
