SV Mainz 05 of Germany striker, Taiwo Awoniyi escaped death while in action with his club on Sunday, as the back-to-form forward had to be carried off the pitch and hurried to hospital after collapsing on impact with Augsburg’s Nigerian-born defender, Felix Uduokhai’s head, but his recovery has been hastened by accolades from one of his club’s top officials, megasportsarena.com reports.
While Awoniyi was recuperating n hospital he gained superlative words and an affirmation of good conduct by a top official in the German Bundesliga outfit, as the club’s sporting director, Rouven Schroder, says the Nigerian former youth international never lets himself down.
Schroder was singing praises for Awoniyi at a point many of his fans and well-wishers were left praying earnestly for his life, after he was forced off on a stretcher in what was his his fourth consecutive start of the season, as his side battled against Augsburg at OPEL Arena.
Awoniyi could not complete the match after suffering a nasty looking injury in the 23rd minute into the game and just moments after he came close to netting his second German Bundesliga goal with Mainz’s first incursion into the opposing area, but his header narrowly missed target.
Following a clash of heads with Uduokhai in an aerial battle, Awoniyi was almost unconscious as he landed awkwardly on his neck and was quickly stretchered off after receiving treatment on the pitch, then got further first aid in an ambulance and was rushed to hospital, even as Schroder highlighted the lad’s total commitment and dedication to the club.
In what becomes the biggest vote of confidence and certification of good conduct for Awoniyi at any club he has featured for in Europe, the former FSV Frankfurt of Germany, NEC Nijmegen of Holland as well as KAA Gent and Royal Excel Mouscron of Belgium lad has been rated very loyal to the core.
Such is the confidence reposed in Awoniyi by Schroder that the Mainz buff was elated to reveal that they have opened talks with the striker’s parent club, Liverpool of England, over the options and chances they have in retaining 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup-winner for next season.
Though the 22-year-old has just a single goal in seven appearances, Schroder stressed that the club want Awoniyi to prolong his stay at Mainz and they are keen to help him continue his new-found progress through the Bundesliga.
The top shot gleefully added that Liverpool are already responding positively once again, after earlier softening their stand regarding the scheduled end of Awoniyi’s loan deal in January, as the striker stayed put in Germany because the European champions preferred to see him keep building on his development in one of Europe’s big leagues, rather than return to Belgium.
Although he again failed to score this past weekend, after netting on the first day of the restart, Awoniyi has been enjoying a new lease of life since the season’s resumption, having started a run of three games and opened his goals account in the top-flight last month against FC Cologne.
The turnaround for Awoniyi, according to Schroder is due the player’s good attitude and zeal to succeed, which has now opened the door for him to get a longer stay with Mainz, although he is contracted to Liverpool until the end of the 2022/23 season.
Schroder told German publication, Bild: “I am very, very positive about him. Taiwo never let himself down; always had his head up and the absolute will to improve was never negative. It is a symbol of how team sport works. We are in an exchange with Liverpool; that is an open position. We are now waiting for the last games. Then we’ll see what the next steps are.”
