‘I see no competition’ – Taiwo Awoniyi prioritizes Nigeria glory over selection

Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi has stated that he is in no competition with any of his teammates for a place in the squad.

The Nigeria national team is blessed with amazing goal scorers who are thriving with their club sides abroad, with the 26-year-old is one of the forwards invited to face Sao Tome and Principe alongside Serie A Golden Boot holder, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface, and Gift Orban on Sunday.

The 2022/23 EFL Championship Player of the Year winner Chuba Akpom, France-based duo of Terem Moffi and Akor Adams, Sadiq Umar, and Rangers new man Cyriel Dessers, are all in abundance to the current squad.

However, the Nottingham Forest hitman insisted that every good player deserves a place in the team as he believes Nigeria has an abundance of strikers who all deserve a chance to wear the shirt.

“People might read different meanings into it, but I’ll try to be as honest as I can when it comes to the Super Eagles, I have never personally seen this place as a competition between me and my colleagues,” Awoniyi told Pulse Sports.

“I see the Super Eagles as a place where we all come to represent the country, and the joy of it is to make the country proud irrespective of who is wearing the shirt. I just believe you do your part as a player, work hard as much as you can and you’ll have your chance.

“I believe everyone can wear the shirt of the Super Eagles once they are here. Every player wants to be in the Super Eagles, but look at the amount of strikers that we have. They also deserve to be there; they are also good players. It’s just a matter of the decision from the coach, who he wants to be there.

“But, whenever I’m here, I’ve never seen it as a competition, to be honest. Let me come in, do the best for my country, and make the country proud. If I’m given the opportunity, I’ll do all I can. But I don’t see it as a place where I’m coming to fight for a shirt.”