Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi will not be participating in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to a groin injury.

The injury was sustained during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho last Thursday, forcing the 25-year-old to be substituted by Terem Moffi in the 59th minute of the match.

Following his return to his club for assessment, Awoniyi missed Nigeria’s subsequent game against Zimbabwe. Nottingham Forest manager, Steve Cooper, disclosed in a press conference on Thursday that the player had undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months.

Expressing his support for Awoniyi, Cooper stated, “We’ll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him.”

Highlighting Awoniyi’s significance to the team, Cooper added, “He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored and the goals he will score for us, but he’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him.”

Awoniyi has netted four goals in 11 appearances for Nottingham Forest this season.