Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness following a successful operation to treat a severe abdominal injury, according to a report by BBC Sport.

Awoniyi underwent the initial phase of surgery on Monday after suffering a ruptured intestine during a match. On Tuesday, doctors placed him in an induced coma to closely monitor his condition. The second stage of the procedure, which involved closing the wound, was completed successfully 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

The incident has sparked widespread sympathy across the country, with former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, voicing concern over Awoniyi’s health and recovery.

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, popsted 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.