Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has revealed how much his first Premier League goal in over a year meant to him, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old came off the bench to score his first league goal of the season, but it was off the back of a lot of struggles for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner. Before the goal yesterday, he last found the back of the net in January 6, 2025, against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Awoniyi struggled with groin problems last season. In his time on the sidelines, Chris Wood soared, scoring a career-high 20 Premier League goals.
As such, the former Union Berlin striker was relegated to the second striker role, but things got worse when he suffered a rupture in his abdominal area in May 2025. He was rushed to the hospital for an emergency surgery that saw him placed in an induced coma.
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In the summer, Nottingham Forest brought in two new strikers – Igor Jesus and Arnauld Kalimuendo, meaning Awoniyi dropped down the pecking order and wasn't registered for the UEFA Europa League.
The Reds faced their share of managerial problems, parting ways with Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou. Sean Dyche, however, has put his faith in the Nigerian, and while the progress has been slow, it has also been steady.
Taiwo Awoniyi delighted with Nottingham Forest atmosphere
The two-time UEFA Champions League winners secured a rare away win against Brentford yesterday, putting them five points above West Ham in the race for safety, and Awoniyi revealed it was a lot of work.
“Yes, it's a big win because we always work hard for ourselves. We work a lot in the team and coming here, our focus was to get all three points, and we did that with a clean sheet, so that's a good effort from everyone,” the former Mainz 05 striker said in his post-game interview.
“That's football, that's what you want to do; you just want to fight for each other, fight for your teammates, and at the end you want to crown it with goals and I think that's the most important thing.
“Once you do the basics for each other, everything comes in the end.
“For me, I've always said to myself and my teammates; the most important thing is for us to look at ourselves. We just want to open our eyes and see that we get the basics right, regardless of the results elsewhere. Once we have our results, we'll be fine,” Awoniyi continued.
Touch and finish. Igor Jesus. 💥 pic.twitter.com/XPcRLX259x
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 25, 2026
Before Awoniyi scored the second, Brazilian striker Igor Jesus scored a brilliant goal, set up by Ola Aina. The all round play pleased the Nottingham Forest number nine, and he revealed Jesus has been kind to him off the pitch as well, citing a close bond.
“I think for every center-forward, you just want to be there for your teammates. Igor is my good friend, we speak to each other a lot and what he does on the pitch; fighting, keeping the ball is what strikers do, it's what I do as well.
“At the end, you just want to crown it with the finish. Ball into the chest, and what a phenomenal finish as well.
Stunning solo goal from Taiwo Awoniyi against Brentford 🤩pic.twitter.com/DSqzUufAkj
— Leagues Reporter (@LeaguesReporter) January 25, 2026
Awoniyi's goal was brilliant. He was freed down the right for a counterattack by Morgan Gibbs-White before using his strength to beat Sepp Van den Berg and putting the ball past Kelleher to score what could be the potential Premier League goal of the season.
“I've always believed this is where I want to be, I've always believed I'm a Premier League player, no matter what goes on around me, that's my focus.
“Unfortunately, what I've been through in the past eighteen months; I've not been playing a lot, I've not been involved, so, the coach came in brought me back.
“It's something I'm happy about and getting the goal is something I'm happy about. I've not been playing a lot, so maybe that's why I've not scored a lot, but the most important thing is I've always believed in God, I've always believed in myself and I know he's always there for me.
“To be honest, it's something about me and my family. Knowing where I came from, I've seen worse [than the abdominal injury he suffered].
“The only thing that keeps me going is the man up there. He's the greatest and holds the key to everything, whether good or bad, and things like this solidify that,” the former Liverpool man concluded.
Nottingham Forest's results in their next five Premier League games will determine if they'll remain in the top-flight. Sean Dyche's men will take on Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool and Brighton.
