Urs Fischer, the manager of Union Berlin, has revealed that star striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be missed when he joins the Super Eagles ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in January.
Awoniyi was named to interim coach Austin Eguavoen’s 28-man roster for the AFCON, which will take place in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6.
Since making a permanent loan move from English giants Liverpool in the summer, Awoniyi has been one of the most significant players for the German team this season. This season, he has 14 goals in 27 games across all competitions, with nine of those goals coming in 17 Bundesliga matches.
If the three-time AFCON champions reach the final, the Nigerian international might miss as many as five league games.
Although Fischer is pleased to see the player represent his country, he believes his absence will be detrimental to the team
“I would allow the player to do it (attend AFCON), but it wouldn’t help us,” Fischer told German website Bild before Christmas.”
Awoniyi has scored 14 goals so far for the German side in all competitions this season.
