Nigerian international and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is reportedly in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

The Super Eagles forward sustained the injury during the closing stages of Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday. The incident occurred when Awoniyi collided with the goalpost while attempting to score.

Earlier on Tuesday, Nottingham Forest had released a statement indicating that Awoniyi was "recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury." However, fresh reports now suggest the situation is more severe than initially communicated.

According to the latest updates, the injury could have been fatal had it not been promptly addressed through what medical professionals have described as a "complex" surgical procedure.

Eyewitnesses report that after the collision, Awoniyi initially attempted to continue playing but was eventually forced to leave the pitch after a few minutes. His substitution left Forest with only ten men as they pursued a crucial goal in their campaign to qualify for the Champions League.

The incident reportedly led to a confrontation between the club's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo, though details of this altercation remain unclear.

Awoniyi, who has been a key player for both Nottingham Forest and the Nigerian national team, will likely face a significant recovery period. The football community across Nigeria and beyond has begun expressing support for the striker as news of his condition spreads.

Neither the Nigerian Football Federation nor Awoniyi's representatives have issued official statements regarding his condition at the time of reporting.

BenriNews will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the player's condition as more information becomes available.