Berlin coach craves for Awoniyi

Union Berlin manager, Urs Fischer, has said that he would be delighted if Taiwo Awoniyi is included on the Super Eagles squad to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to kick off in January in Cameroon.

Should Awoniyi make the AFCON squad, he will miss four Bundesliga matches against Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim, Borussia Monchengladbach and Augsburg, plus the derby against Hertha Berlin in the DFB Cup.

Awoniyi has slipped down the pecking order of center forwards in the Super Eagles following the return of Odion Ighalo to the national team.

Apart from the Al-Shabab star, Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu and Terem Moffi are above Awoniyi in manager Gernot Rohr’s pecking order.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has permitted participating countries to name up to 28 players in the squad list for AFCON 2021, increasing the chances of Awoniyi gatecrashing the squad.

The 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup winner made his senior debut in the home fixture against the Central African Republic last month but was omitted from the roster for this month’s internationals.

“We don’t worry about it and of course we have it on our radar,” Fischer told regional newspaper Berliner Kurier.

“What could be nicer than representing your colors? Even if he doesn’t help us, we would be happy for Taiwo”.

Awoniyi has been in scintillating form since joining Union Berlin in July 2021, scoring 13 goals and setting up two others in 20 outings across all competitions.