Why I Declined the Unity Cup: Portugal and Poland Friendlies Ahead of the Tournament

4 days ago 3

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Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has said he declined a call‑up to the squad for the Unity Cup and the friendlies against Poland and Portugal due to personal reasons.

The Nigerian international has been a decisive goal‑scorer for Nottingham Forest, reaching his 100th appearance for the club and netting a brace in a 3‑1 away win over Chelsea.

Although he has dealt with injuries and has often been used as a backup, his lethal finishing and consistent goal‑scoring remain key assets for the club.

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Speaking with SportsBoom, Awoniyi expressed confidence in the players selected for the upcoming matches.

“I was supposed to be in the Super Eagles camp, but I opted out because of personal reasons I have to attend to,” Awoniyi said.

“We have lots of talents in the Super Eagles, so for me, everyone that is in the team for the June friendlies is as good as me, just as I’m as good as them,” he added.

Survival Hero

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Awoniyi joined Forest ahead of their return to the Premier League in a club‑record deal (reported at £17 million) in June 2022. He scored six goals in four games at the end of the 2022/23 season, including the winner against Arsenal that helped the club retain its top‑flight status.

Record‑Breaking Scoring Streak

Awoniyi made club history as the first Nottingham Forest player to score in seven consecutive Premier League matches, a run that included decisive goals against top‑tier teams such as Arsenal, Southampton, and Chelsea.