Super Eagles forward Taiwo Awoniyi has released a statement on social media for the first time after coming out of an induced coma on Wednesday.
He expressed gratitude to his teammates, fans, supporters, and family for their support during his injury and surgery.
Awoniyi wrote: “This season has been one of the most difficult of my career, but through it all, I have felt the love. With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes. Seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.
“Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way, and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.
“To my family, friends, and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me, and left kind words, thank you. I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover.”
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest players have dedicated their 2-1 win over West Ham to Taiwo Awoniyi following his abdominal surgery on Wednesday.
Nottingham Forest players displayed Awoniyi’s name and number at the back of their warm up kits, with a message on the front reading “we’re all with you Taiwo”.
Captain Morgan Gibbs-White lifted up Awoniyi’s shirt to the crowd after scoring the first goal against West Ham.
He dedicated the victory to Taiwo Awoniyi while wishing him a quick recovery.
Gibbs-White said: “The whole week has been tough on everyone. Wednesday was our first day back and the place was pretty lifeless, everyone was praying and wishing him well.
“He’s come round on a good path, we’re all wishing him well and that win today was for him.”
Similarly, Nottingham Forest coach, Nuno Espirito-Santo, also dedicated the victory to the Super Eagles forward.
He said: “Since the beginning of our preparations ‘T’ was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation, and the boys really wanted to do it for him.
“That was our final words, ‘let’s give it a push’. He is someone we admire, his smile is contagious and the boys did it for him. We are so proud.”
Nottingham Forest will take on Chelsea on the last day of the season in a Champions League decider encounter.
They are currently in seventh with 65 points, one point behind third-placed Newcastle United in a tight race for Champions League qualification that involves Chelsea, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City.
