It was in the 88th minute of Sunday's Premier League meeting against Leicester that the Nigerian national team striker unfortunately collided with the post when he tried to reach an incoming pass.
Awoniyi received treatment on the pitch for several minutes and gave a thumbs up to continue playing, but he was clearly affected by the injury during the added time.
After the match, owner Evangelos Marinakis went onto the pitch and was visibly upset when he spoke with coach Nuno Espirito Santo, but the anger was directed at the medical staff.
"Everyone – the coaching staff, players, supporters, and I myself – were frustrated over Taiwo's injury and the medical staff's misjudgment regarding Taiwo's ability to continue playing", Marinakis wrote on his Instagram account after the match.
When the coach got clearance that Awoniyi could continue playing, he made his final substitution in the match and the striker remained on the pitch.
It was not until Monday that Nottingham realized Awoniyi had suffered a serious abdominal injury and he was taken to hospital for surgery, the club stated.
Awoniyi is said to have been placed in induced coma after the initial phase of the operation, British media reports. The next phase of the operation is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. According to media reports, nothing indicates that Awoniyi's condition is life-threatening.
