Taiwo Awoniyi: Nigerian forward says Super Eagles will bounce back as the giants of Africa

Taiwo Awoniyi urges Nigerians to be calm as the Super Eagles will bounce back from the World Cup disappointment.

Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi has stated that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will bounce back as the giants of Africa.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the group stage after expectations were high on progressing to the next round of the competition.

The 20-year-old forward is not part of the Super Eagles team to the tournament to the tournament but is hoping that they can bounce back from the disappointing campaign.

 

Awoniyi who recently extended his contract with Premier League giants Liverpool gave his opinion on the national team in an interview with the club’s official website.

Asked on the team's performance in Russia Awoniyi said, “It was unfortunate that we didn’t get through the [group] at the World Cup.

“Nigeria are a team with a lot of talent, looking at the team at the World Cup, it had a lot of young talent. I believe Nigeria will come back again as a giant of Africa.”

Awoniyi who was on loan at Royal Excel Mouscron for the 2017/18 season and is yet to make an appearance for the senior national team as he won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and has also played for the U-20 and U-23 setups.

Asked about his ambitions for the Super Eagles, Awoniyi said, “That is a big part of the ambition for me. I have played for many years with the youth teams and I look forward to hopefully getting a chance with the senior team.

“This season will be the one they judge me on. Hopefully, I will do it.”

Awoniyi who has been loaned out to KAA Gent by Liverpool will hope his good form can get him a call-up to the Super Eagles for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Seychelles in September 2018.