Nottingham Forest boss, Nuno hopes Awoniyi plays for Nigeria against Libya in AFCON 2025 qualifying double header

Nottingham Forest Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo says Taiwo Awoniyi needs more games to get back to his best and hopes Nigeria’s caretaker manager, Austin Eguavoen gives the striker some minutes when Super Eagles face Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double header later this month.

Awoniyi who was Forest’s top scorer with 10 goals in the Premier League in his debut season and netted six times in the competition last term despite his battles with injury made has first start for of the season in the 1-0 loss to Fulham last weekend.

The Nigerian was played in a two-man attack by Nuno against Fulham and the gaffer says he is happy with the option but may not use against Chelsea on Sunday, insisting Awoniyi needs more games to thrive.

Asked at his pre-match press conference if Awoniyi needs a goal to get him going this term, Nuno said: ‘All the strikers need that moment, but T did well (against Fulham). It’s been a while since he started. He played 45 minutes and created a lot of situations.

‘We’re counting on him. It was an option to put him alongside Wood. It’s something we have to work on and improve because it can give us good results, but that was the first time (of using it). I think he did well.

‘Now it’s about managing him. Now he goes to the national team. I hope he plays because what Taiwo needs is competition and to be competing. Hopefully when he returns, he is another option for us.”