Taiwo Awoniyi was on target as Nottingham Forest battled to a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Exeter City in the FA Cup fourth round on Tuesday night, following a 2-2 draw in regular time.
Awoniyi Scores Stunning Goal
Making his fourth FA Cup appearance, Awoniyi finally opened his account in the competition with a brilliant left-footed strike from outside the box in the 37th minute, putting Forest 2-1 ahead after Ramón Sosa had earlier canceled out Josh Magennis’ opener for Exeter.
However, Exeter fought back just five minutes into the second half to level at 2-2. Despite being reduced to 10 men late in the game, the lower-division side held on to force extra time and penalties.
Injury Concern for Awoniyi
Awoniyi was a constant threat throughout his 90 minutes, recording:
• 4 shots on target
• 1 effort blocked
• 70% pass completion (7/10)
But the game took a worrying turn in extra time (103rd minute) when Awoniyi clashed heads with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth while challenging for a high ball. The impact left the striker needing lengthy medical attention before being stretchered off the field.
Though initial fears were serious, there was relief as reports confirmed that Awoniyi was able to walk back to the dressing room unaided, albeit looking groggy.
What’s Next for Awoniyi?
Awoniyi’s goal was his second of the 2024/25 season, following his strike in Forest’s 3-0 Premier League win over Wolves. However, the extent of his injury remains unclear, leaving both Nottingham Forest and Nigerian fans anxious about his recovery ahead of crucial fixtures.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles defender Ola Aina was absent from Forest’s squad for the match.
