Eintracht Braunschweig's Anthony Ujah has disclosed that he isn't taken aback by Taiwo Awoniyi and his journey to fame.
The duo shared the field for two seasons at Union Berlin in Germany before Awoniyi departed for Nottingham Forest, where he has since emerged as a beloved figure among fans.
Last term, Awoniyi played a significant role in Forest securing their position in the top tier, netting six goals in the final five matches. This included a brace against Chelsea and a goal against Arsenal.
In the current campaign, the 26-year-old Taiwo Awoniyi has contributed to nine goals, scoring six himself and providing three assists to his teammates.
With the 33-year-old Ujah having made seven appearances for the Super Eagles, the player from Nottingham Forest has earned eight caps and has scored two goals.
Ujah reflects on Awoniyi's journey
Ujah, reflecting on Taiwo Awoniyi's journey, remarked, “This guy invested in a lot of work that I personally didn't do, so it was quite amazing to see someone chasing their dream.”
He highlighted the often unseen efforts of footballers during the week, stating, “Football fans see what happens during the game day but don't see what happens during the week. You know a lot of people have to push themselves extra to be able to reach where they are.”
Ujah expressed his lack of surprise at Awoniyi's success in the Premier League, saying, “That he is playing in the Premier League and doing really well is not a surprise for me, he did way more than what he was expected to do and that is why you see he is really doing well.”
He concluded with a heartfelt wish for Awoniyi's continued health and success, noting, “my wish for him is just to, you know, stay healthy. As long as he stays healthy, he will always excel.”
Taiwo Awoniyi and his remarkable performance in the Premier League
At the core of Taiwo Awoniyi's success is his remarkable shot conversion rate, standing impressively at 28.6% in the Premier League, surpassing top players like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Brentford’s Ivan Toney, and Newcastle’s Callum Wilson.
This figure reflects his adeptness at seizing scoring opportunities, highlighting his calmness and proficiency in finishing.
Throughout the 2023-24 Premier League season, Awoniyi's impact on Nottingham Forest has been transformative.
Despite missing 12 matches due to injury, his contributions have been pivotal, with crucial goals often determining the outcome of matches.
His precision and consistency in finding the net have not only strengthened Nottingham Forest's attacking capabilities but have also established him as one of the league's most formidable strikers.
