FC Union Berlin of Germany striker, Taiwo Awoniyi has been hit with s fresh round of turbulence in his fluctuating career.
The latest downturn facing the product of Imperial Football Academy of Odogbolu, Ogun State comes on account of another snub by Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr.
Despite finally getting his senior debut last month in a 2022 World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic, Awoniyi has been overlooked for the upcoming games versus Liberia and Cape Verde.
Sadly, the setback came barely 48 hours after the UAE 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup gold medalist failed to score last weekend against Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga.
He, however, already has seven goals to his name from 10 games this season, thereby equaling his highest league personal tally that he achieved during his time with Royal Mouscron of Belgium.
Ironically, he continues being snubbed by Rohr, though this season is fast turning out to be the best at club level for the 24-year-old striker, who was until recently on the roster at Liverpool of England.
Amazingly, he never got to play a single match for Liverpool, who instead chose to loan him out repeatedly, after signing him in 2015, until he sealed a full transfer to Union Berlin this summer.
Before then, he played for FSV Frankfurt and SV Mainz of Germinal, NEC Nigmegem of Netherlands as well as Mouscron and KAA Gent of Belgium.
All those heroics could not get him a lift into the senior national, even after stops in the Flying Eagles at under-20 level and U23 Olympic Eagles, where was also overshadowed by Umar Sadiq at Rio 2016.
This season has been better for him at club level, with 10 goals across all competitions already to the bargain, including his team’s 100th goal, but he has not been able to convince Rohr that he deserves a regular spot in the Eagles.
Mega Sports presenter on Star FM, Lagos, Emmanuel Josiah is shocked that Rohr has this time opted to officially invite 32-year-old retired striker, Odion Jude Ighalo than include Awoniyi in his latest list.
Josiah pondered: “Awoniyi keeps doing well for his club, he’s playing in one of the big leagues in Europe, which Rohr monitors very well, yet the coach continues to overlook him.”
