“His smile is contagious” – Forest boss highlights Super Eagles star as secret for West Ham victory

Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, has admitted that Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, was a key factor in his side's 2-1 win over West Ham United today, Soccernet.ng reports.

This comes in spite of the Nigerian's absence from the team as he's still recovering from a surgical operation on a ruptured intestine. An injury he sustained in Forest's game against Leicester City last out out.

Nottingham Forest captain, Morgan Gibbs-White revealed the team fought extra-hard to ensure Awoniyi's sacrifice didn't go down in vain, and now, the club's coach shares the same conviction.

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“Since the beginning of the preparations, T was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation. The boys wanted to do it for T.

“Our final words were to give it a push and a go for T. He is someone we really admire and his smile is contagious. We need him. The boys did it for him and we are so proud,” the former Tottenham Hotspur manager said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Post.

Forest's win against West Ham now puts their UEFA Champions League fate in their hands. All they need to do is win against a similar-ambitioned Chelsea next Sunday.

“Since the beginning of the season we wanted to be in this fight (for the Champions League). We achieved it.

“If you had said in the beginning it would be possible, you would have said no, but we are in it and the last game at the City Ground is going to be huge for us. It is trying to achieve something magical.

“We played good. We started well; we were organised and pressing really well. It was open and both goalkeepers had to make fantastic saves, but after that, we were in control and scored a good goal.

We started the second half really well and then the game changes. It is another reality of football, the stoppage time, and then it is all about nerves and anxiety trying to finish the game,” the Portuguese gaffer concluded.

The reaction of the football world to Awoniyi's condition has been nothing short of surreal. The display by his teammates hints he's valued for his ability beyond the football pitch. Forest can make the Nigerian proud if they seal three points against Chelsea next week.