Nottingham Forest forward, Taiwo Awoniyi will miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as a result of groin injury.

Awoniyi sustained the injury in Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho last Thursday.

The 26-year-old was replaced by Terem Moffi in the 59th minute of the encounter.

The striker missed the Super Eagles next game against Zimbabwe after returning to his club for assessment on the injury.

“It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months,” Forest boss, Steve Cooper told a press conference on Thursday.

“We’ll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him.

“He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored and the goals he will score for us, but he’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him.”

Awoniyi has scored four goals in 11 games for the Tricky Trees this season.

“We’ve got to support him through the process of coming back stronger. He’s done that once before here and I’m sure he will give everything again like he did last time.

“You think about how well he did when he returned last season, I’m sure that’s given him a good reference point to come back to.

“We’ll definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while.”