Super Eagle’s Awoniyi wins Nottingham Forest’s POTM, GOTM awards

NIGERIA, Sept. 12 – Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has won the Player of the Month and Goal of the Month Awards for the month of August at Nottingham Forest.

The PUNCH reports that Awoniyi was among those shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Month award for the month of August.

The 25-year-old striker has scored three times totalling 184 minutes in four games for Nottingham Forest this season, stretching his impressive scoring run from last term to seven consecutive Premier League matches — the third African player to do so after Mohammed Salah and Sheyi Adebayor.

Awoniyi will face competition from West Ham’s Jarod Bowen, James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur, Rodri (Manchester City), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) and Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton and Hove Albion) in the race for the gong.

Announcing him as the winner of both POTM and GOTM awards on Monday, the club in a separate statement on its website, said. “The Nigerian has picked up from where he left off after an excellent end to last season, scoring three goals and producing an assist in four Premier League games so far this term.”

It added, “In August, the striker scored three goals in three matches, becoming only the third African player to score in seven consecutive Premier League matches.

“Awoniyi’s nine goals in seven consecutive Premier League outings saw him become the first Forest player ever to do so, subsequently leading to a August Premier League Player of the Month nomination.

“Having received a whopping 83% of the Player of the Month votes, Awoniyi has also won the August Goal of the Month award for his run and finish against Manchester United.”

Meanwhile, the statement announcing him as the winner of the GOTM award read, “Two of the striker’s three Premier League goals in August were up for the award, with his goal at Old Trafford finishing on top having received 38% of the votes.

“Much like Awoniyi’s start to the campaign, Forest made an electric start in Manchester, with Awoniyi winning possession off Marcus Rashford on halfway before bearing down on goal and producing a composed finish to beat André Onana.

“Awoniyi’s goal at Arsenal, scored after another lung-busting run upfield, finished second, whilst Chris Wood’s last-minute winner against Sheffield United finished third.

“Awoniyi, who has also been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award, has also been voted as Forest’s Player of the Month for August having received 83% of the votes.”