Liverpool striker Taiwo Awoniyi admits he dreams of playing for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
The 22-year-old has yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool due to work-permit issues.
Awoniyi has been ineligible for a permit having not played for his country nor gained experience in any of the top five European leagues.
After a number of spells in Belgium, Awoniyi attempted to gain that experience by joining German club Mainz last summer.
Things started out poorly for Awoniyi in the Bundesliga, but the coronavirus pandemic break played in his favour, having featured in every match since the competition restarted in May.
And Awoniyi hopes his performances in Germany can lead to an appearance for Nigeria, helping solve the other part of his work-permit conundrum.
Read Also: Awoniyi Recounts Latest Injury Experience: ‘I Wanted To Continue Playing’
“I think it is every player’s dream to play for his national team,” he told Tribalfootball.
“But still you can’t control it and Nigeria is blessed with abundance of football talents everywhere.
“You just have to keep your hope alive, keep working hard and believe that with God all things are possible.”
Asked if he’d had contact with Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr, Awoniyi added: “No. I have never spoken with Gernot Rohr.”
The future might be unclear for Awoniyi – who has represented Nigeria at various youth levels – but he remains focused on making next year’s African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
He continued: “That’s why Ii’m a football player and have represented my country in all age grades national teams from the U17 to U23 teams.
“It is good for me to be working hard towards meeting that target.”
10 Comments
I like you as a footballer. But the story has changed in Nigeria u don’t get a call up by calling the coach u get one by banging in goals as a striker. Just keep working hard when u hit the level for the national team, u will definitely get the call.
God bless you!
Emie, you are spot on bro !
You played almost five games with just a goal and you are already dreaming of SE call. It shows you have no focus even if you claim you just have to be focused. Even Sodiq with 17goals and 17 assist does not even talk rather he does the talk with actions. But we the fans always take note of him and most times mention his name here in this forum. If you do the needful, you don’t need to talk too much, while your achievement speaks for you, the fans will complement it here in this forum. God bless you. I pray you score more goals that will make your dreams come true
You mentioned Sadiq,in my opinion he is a far better striker than Awoniyi who was predatory in his under 17 days,but lost his panache post 2015 under 20 world cup.
Awoniyi has struggled until recently he was able to get a few games yet not very spectacular.He should focus on getting his form back,we know when Awoniyi is in his element,we want him to play to enjoy his football,to play at an optimum level with impressive stats in the Bundesliga then we would join Awoniyi to clamour for his international invitation.
People like @ CollinsID and the progressive regressives will be angry with you o, just as they are angry with Rohr for not calling up Umar all these years. Awoniyi’s exploits at U17, U20 and U23 are enough to earn him regular call ups to the SE. Current form should go to blazes. Such players should be called up ahead of those in form and performing at their clubs and camped for 2-3 weeks to regain their form. “…Even Brazil and Argentina does it…”
Haha @Dr.Drey,i get that,people have their choices though and sometimes do astonishingly clamour for players that have performed not as well,strange that.
Obviously,it’s crystal clear which one of the two is the better striker,it would be bizarre to even argue that
But wait o;
AWONIYI want call up???
To the current SE SQUAD???
hohohohoho,,,,,
i laff in mozambique…..
Bcs u scored one goal after many league appearances and suddenly felt u should be called up to the eagles? It’s very laughable, u know. My, friend,it doesn’t work that way anymore. U have to earn your invitation not by eye service or sentiments. And again, there are players who are miles away better than you who have not even gotten a chance to feature for the eagle. Anthony nwakeme who has been banging in goals left right centre is still dreaming for a recall. So, chill down, your I.v will come as long as u continue working hard and prove beyond reasonable doubt that u deserve a call.
Taiwo Awoniyi hit the nail on the head with the statement he made in the interview above because without hard work and perhaps ‘Grace’ it will be impossible for any player to be invited to the Super Eagles.
“You just have to keep your hope alive, keep working hard and believe that with God all things are possible”. Said Awoniyi.
And, judging from the gametime he has been afforded Achim Beierlorzer (Mainz coach), it will appear that his hard work in training is starting to pay off. However, on the pitch it is quite a different story.
Prior to concussion caused by a clashing of heads with an opponent which led to his brief hospitalisation, Awoniyi had been playing like a player with a long road to recovery ahead.
His games seems a bit rough around the edges however the more he played, the smoother and sharper he was slowly becoming.
For someone who needs more gametime to boost his mental-conditioning, this accident came at the worst possible time.
Now he has to start all over again, first to make starting 11s and then to play to a higher standard of performance.
National team football seems a long shot at the moment moment but like he said, ‘with God, all things are possible’.