Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken up from a coma after undergoing emergency surgery. The Nigerian forward’s recovery has been called a miracle by fans and teammates, bringing hope and joy after a frightening medical situation.
Awoniyi Injured in Leicester City Match
During the last moments of Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City, Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a terrible injury. While trying to score, Awoniyi crashed into the goalpost. At first, he stayed on the field after telling medics he was okay. However, things quickly got worse.
After the match, Awoniyi was taken to the hospital. Doctors found that he had a ruptured intestine, a very serious and dangerous injury. He needed emergency surgery.
Two-Part Surgery and Coma for Recovery
On Monday, doctors performed the first part of the surgery to treat the torn intestine. After that, Awoniyi was placed into an induced coma to help his body recover safely.
On Wednesday, doctors completed the second part of the operation, which included closing the surgical wound. Later that evening, Awoniyi was successfully woken up from the coma. His recovery so far has been described as a miracle by many fans and medical experts.
Concerns Over Medical Decisions During the Match
After the injury, Awoniyi received medical attention on the pitch. Despite feeling unwell, he was allowed to continue playing because the team had already used all their substitutes. This raised concerns.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen coming onto the pitch after the game, showing concern about the way the situation was handled. There were fears that Awoniyi’s health was at serious risk because he wasn’t taken off the field earlier.
Now, Nottingham Forest has announced an internal investigation to understand how this happened. The club’s official statement expressed frustration with the medical team, saying the striker should not have been allowed to continue playing after the collision.
Experts Say It Was a Life-Threatening Situation
Medical experts have explained how dangerous Awoniyi’s condition was. Professor Gillian Tierney, a top colorectal surgeon, told BBC Sport that a ruptured intestine is life-threatening and often hard to detect immediately.
She explained, “This kind of injury is very serious. It can be fatal if not treated in time. For someone super fit like a footballer, it might be hard to notice the damage right away.”
Tierney added that in a hospital setting, doctors would normally use a CT scan, which can take many hours. Even then, it is still difficult to detect this type of injury quickly.
The mortality rate is about 9%, meaning the risk of death is significant. Thankfully, Awoniyi’s fitness and the quick action of hospital staff gave him a good chance of recovery.
Rare Injury But Extremely Dangerous
Another expert, Mr Harpaul Flora, who is a consultant surgeon in London, said that ruptured intestines are rare, especially in sports. But they are extremely dangerous.
He explained that such injuries could happen due to compression of the abdominal wall or a torn artery. In both cases, there would be internal bleeding or fluid leakage, which can lead to serious infections or even sepsis if not treated fast.
Flora emphasized how important hospital treatment was, saying, “If it wasn’t treated quickly, it could have become life-threatening.”
Awoniyi’s Fight Continues But Signs Are Positive
Right now, Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering in the hospital. Although the situation was scary and very serious, he has made good progress after surgery. Fans, teammates, and club officials are hopeful that he will fully recover.
Nottingham Forest is now focused on supporting Awoniyi and ensuring such incidents are better handled in the future. His brave fight and survival have inspired the football community and reminded everyone of the dangers players face on the pitch.
Awoniyi’s story is not just about injury, but about strength, medical care, and the will to survive. His road to recovery may take time, but the first steps have already brought hope to many.
