Taiwo Awoniyi: I’m not in the Super Eagles to compete
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Taiwo Awoniyi's stellar form has him in contention for a starting spot for the Super Eagles (Credit: IMAGO/Shengolpix/Tobi Adepoju)

FOOTBALL Taiwo Awoniyi: I’m not in the Super Eagles to compete

Taiwo Awoniyi: I’m not in the Super Eagles to compete

Solace Chukwu • 09:50 - 08.09.2023

Ahead of Sunday's AFCON qualifier against Sao Tome, the Nigeria striker has declared himself unfazed by the depth of the Super Eagles' striking options

Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has weighed in on the subject of Nigeria’s abundance in attack. 

The 26-year-old is one of a preponderance of forwards that has captured the imagination of football fans the world over; ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Sao Tome, the Super Eagles camp also boasts the might of Victor Osimhen, Gift Orban, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface. 

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This attacking roster does not take into account the France-based duo of Terem Moffi and Akor Adams, the 2022/23 EFL Championship Player of the Year Chuba Akpom, the convalescing Sadiq Umar and Rangers hitman Cyriel Dessers.

That stellar cast of options means opportunities to start upfront for Nigeria are at a premium. However, in an exclusive interview with Pulse Sports, Awoniyi laid bare his attitude toward the competition for places in the national side.

“People might read different things into it, but I’ll try to be as honest as I can: when it comes to the Super Eagles, I have never personally seen this place as a competition between me and my colleagues,” he said.

“I see the Super Eagles as a place where we all come to represent the country, and the joy of it is to make the country proud irrespective of who is wearing the shirt. I just believe you do your part as a player, work hard as much as you can and you’ll have your chance.”

Awoniyi has been in impressive form in the Premier League so far this season, picking up where he left off at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. By scoring in seven straight league matches for Nottingham Forest, he equalled the African Premier League record for goals in consecutive matches, placing him in exalted company alongside Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor.

This has, understandably, pushed him to the front of the queue in the eyes of many, with the case there to be made that he is the most in-form of the plethora of options available to Nigeria coach Jose Peseiro.

Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest scores against Manchester United
Taiwo Awoniyi embarrasses Andre Onana || Image credit: Imago

Does that mean, then, that he deserves to start on Sunday?

“I believe everyone can wear the shirt of the Super Eagles once they are here. Every player wants to be in the Super Eagles, but look at the amount of strikers that we have. They also deserve to be there; they are also good players. It’s just a matter of the decision from the coach, who he wants to be there.

“But, whenever I'm here, I've never seen it as a competition, to be honest. Let me come in, do the best for my country and make the country proud. If I'm given the opportunity, I'll do all I can. But I don't see it as a place where I'm coming to fight for a shirt.”

In six appearances (three starts) for Nigeria, Awoniyi has scored once, and will be bidding to add to his account when the Super Eagles take on Sao Tome’s Falcons in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. 

The three-time champions, who in the reverse leg created a national record for the largest winning margin in history by winning 10-0, have already qualified for next year’s tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.

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