Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury, according to a report by BBC Sport.

Awoniyi had the first part of the surgery on Monday after sustaining a ruptured intestine during a match. As part of the procedure, he was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday to allow medical staff monitor his condition. The second stage of the operation, which involved closing the wound, was successfully carried out on Wednesday.

“Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury.

“Having had the first part of the surgery on Monday, he spent Tuesday in an induced coma as medical staff monitored his progress as part of the procedure.

“Awoniyi underwent the second stage of the operation, including closing the wound, on Wednesday – a process that was successful,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, the incident has drawn nationwide sympathy, with former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi expressing concern over the player’s condition.

“I read with deep concern the unfortunate incident involving our own Taiwo Awoniyi, a resilient son of the soil, who, while giving his best on the field for Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, suffered a severe injury in the line of duty,” Obi said.

He added, “It is both painful and telling that, even after colliding with the goalpost and sustaining what has now been revealed as a ruptured intestine, he pressed on, a testament to the Nigerian spirit: strong, unyielding, and ever-committed.”

Obi urged Nigerians to stand in solidarity with the footballer and his family.

“Let us not take this lightly. We must appreciate and celebrate such young men who continue to lift our flag high, even at great personal risk… May he recover fully and return stronger,” he said.

Also providing an update, Nigerian photojournalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel, popularly known as OgaNlaMedia, posted that Awoniyi is responding well to treatment.

“I just spoke with a family member of Taiwo Awoniyi, he’s recovering well. His wife is around him, and he’s responding to treatment. Hopefully, we should be able to speak with him soon,” he wrote.