Nottingham Forest and captain Morgan Gibbs White delivered a heartfelt tribute to striker Taiwo Awoniyi during their 2-1 win against West Ham United on Sunday, Gibbs White who opened the scoring at the London Stadium, immediately held up Awoniyi’s shirt in celebration.
The emotional gesture was in honour of his teammate, who is recovering in the hospital after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Before the game, the entire squad warmed up in special shirts bearing Awoniyi’s name and number on the back, with the message "We’re all with you Taiwo" on the front.
Taiwo Awoniyi took to Instagram and said that he is "grateful to still be here" after having surgery on a serious abdominal injury. Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma following a collision with the goalpost in Forest’s draw with Leicester City last weekend.
In his message to club, teammates and fans he wrote, "This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love. With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits."
He added,"To my team-mates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say. I'm with you all the way and I can't wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love."
Forest Stay in Champions League Hunt
The victory over West Ham gave Forest their first league double over the Hammers since the 1983-84 season. It also ensured that they remained in the fight for a Champions League spot, with just one round of matches left to play.
After Morgan Gibbs White opener, Nikola Milenkovic scored Forest’s second goal from an Anthony Elanga free-kick early in the second half. Though it took a six-minute VAR check for offside, the goal stood. The assist was Elanga’s 11th of the league season, tying a club record set by Bryan Roy in 1994-95 the last time Forest qualified for European competition.
West Ham pulled a goal back late in the game through Jarrod Bowen. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels made a key save to deny Niclas Fullkrug and protect the lead
Forest are now preparing for a crucial last-day clash with Chelsea, with the fifth and final Champions League spot still up for grabs. Regardless of the outcome, the team is already guaranteed a place in European competition next season.
