Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has called on Nigerians to throw their full support behind the national team as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, despite his omission from the final squad list.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, the Nottingham Forest forward stressed that selection decisions must be respected, insisting that unity and support from fans are crucial to the team’s success at the tournament.

“It is always a great list no matter the player that gets on the list. Not everyone can be on the list. That's what every player needs to accept and that's what the country also needs to know,” Awoniyi said.

The 28-year-old, who has endured a difficult start to the season with Nottingham Forest, added that the responsibility for squad selection lies squarely with the coaching crew.

“Once the coach brings out the list, the coach knows what he wants, he has seen the players and he made the decision and everyone needs to accept it and the whole country just needs to support the boys and give them the maximum support they need and hopefully and by God's grace the cup will be ours,” he added. 

Awoniyi’s absence from the squad comes amid injury concerns, with the striker currently sidelined and expected to miss Nottingham Forest’s Premier League clash against Tottenham at the City Ground on Saturday.

Reflecting on Forest’s form this season, Awoniyi acknowledged the challenges of balancing domestic and European commitments but remained optimistic about the club’s prospects.

“I believe we will be back to where we were before because when you look at it's been years without European football, now we play European football, we won yesterday, so those are the factors also,” he said. 

“When a team is playing in the league and also competing in the European standard, these are things that have a lot of effects on the team as well but sometimes we just have to keep on going and we will be back to where we are,” Awoniyi concluded. 

Nigeria is drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania as the Super Eagles aim to claim a fourth AFCON title when the tournament kicks off on December 19.

The Super Eagles open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on December 23, before facing Tunisia on December 27 and wrapping up the group stage against Uganda on December 30.

Eric Chelle will be looking to guide Nigeria to their fourth AFCON title in Morocco, seeking redemption after the nation’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Adeyemi Adewale