Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has confirmed that he turned down an invitation to represent the Super Eagles in the Unity Cup and the upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The 28-year-old forward, who has been in good form for his club, cited personal reasons for his decision.
Awoniyi Explains His Absence
Speaking in an interview with SportsBoom, Awoniyi revealed that he had discussions with head coach Eric Chelle before the squad announcement and ultimately decided not to honor the call-up. “I was supposed to be in the Super Eagles camp, but I opted out because of personal reasons I have to attend to,” Awoniyi said. He did not elaborate on the nature of these personal matters but expressed confidence in the depth of talent within the national team.
“We have lots of talents in the Super Eagles, so for me, everyone that is in the team for the June friendlies is as good as me, just as I’m as good as them,” he added. His comments highlight the increasing competition for places in Nigeria’s squad, with several forwards making strong cases for selection in recent months.
Long Absence from the National Team
Awoniyi has not featured regularly for the Super Eagles in recent years, despite remaining active at club level. His most recent appearance came in October 2024 when he came off the bench in Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over Libya during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Prior to that, his last involvement was in the 1-1 draw against Lesotho in Uyo during Nigeria’s unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 28-year-old has also missed the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, limiting his opportunities to establish himself as a regular starter.
With Nigeria preparing for future competitive assignments, the upcoming friendlies would have presented another chance for the striker to strengthen his claim for a return. However, Awoniyi opted to step aside and focus on matters away from football.
Striker Speaks on Nottingham Forest Future
Away from international football, Awoniyi is approaching an important stage of his club career. The Nigerian forward, who scored against Chelsea in May, will enter the final 12 months of his contract with Nottingham Forest this month, fueling speculation over his long-term future at the City Ground. Since arriving from Union Berlin in June 2022 for a club-record fee, Awoniyi has made 103 appearances and scored 23 goals across all competitions, according to FotMob.
His time in England has not been without challenges, as recurring injuries have interrupted several promising periods and affected his consistency. Despite those setbacks, the striker remains appreciative of the support he has received from the club and supporters. “Four years in the Premier League has been a dream for the club and me,” Awoniyi said. “The club has shown faith in me when I was down, so we will see what happens next. My family and I are settled here in Nottingham, a great city. Next season, we will be better.”
The comments suggest the former Liverpool player remains committed to helping Forest progress, although uncertainty surrounding his contract means transfer speculation is likely to continue throughout the summer. For now, Awoniyi’s focus appears to be on resolving his personal commitments and preparing for another demanding Premier League campaign while keeping the door open for a future return to the Super Eagles.
