Taiwo Awoniyi Stands Firm: No Need for Competition with Osimhen or Boniface

Get a load of Taiwo Awoniyi, the striker for both Nottingham Forest and the Super Eagles, spilling the beans about his stance with regards to fellow forwards Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface.

Awoniyy, 27, makes it clear that he ain't out here competing against his teammates. Instead, he views their presence as a chance for everyone to level up together. And that's not just talk - he's all about self-improvement, working hard to better himself and boost his contributions to the team.

As he tells Humble Boots in an interview, "I ain't out here trying to outshine Osimhen or Boniface, man. My aim is to be the best Taiwo Awoniyi I can be this season. Whether I'm playing or not, my priority is all about continuous improvement."

Awoniyi realizes that every player's journey is unique, and he doesn't aim to beat his mates. In fact, he believes that chasing someone else's success won't do him any good. He says, "Everyone's path is different, and I'm not chasing being better than someone else. Even when I ain't on the field, I stay locked in on what I can do to be ready for my moment when it happens."

Despite the fierce competition in the Super Eagles' striking lineup, Awoniyi stays optimistic. He thinks football is all about seizing opportunities, explaining, "In this game, if it's your time, it's your time. I don't see it as me against them; if it's my time, I'll show 'em what I'm capable of, no matter who else is around."

When it comes down to it, the coaching staff makes the final calls for the Super Eagles, and players have to trust the process. "In this team, you ain't the one making those decisions, buddy," says Awoniyi. "It's about giving it your all to be the best player you can be, and the rest will follow."

As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Awoniyi is focusing on consistency. "I believe I don't need to compete against Osimhen or Boniface to make it to the AFCON," he shares. "If I earn more minutes and contribute with goals, I'll be there. I'm just here to better myself for my own sake and for the sake of the team."

Takeaways for Aspiring Players

Self-Improvement First: Awoniyi's mindset serves as a blueprint for young players. By concentrating on self-improvement and not competing with peers, they can climb the ranks without getting sidetracked by others' accomplishments.

Awoniyi's emphasis on internal motivation and personal growth makes it crystal clear: he's all about rising above the competition and taking his skills to the next level.

Taiwo Awoniyi, the striker for both Nottingham Forest and the Super Eagles, clarifies that he's not competing against his teammates like Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface.
Awoniyi focuses on self-improvement and works hard to better himself, aiming to be the best Taiwo Awoniyi he can be this season.
He understands that every player's journey is unique and doesn't aim to beat his teammates; instead, he stays focused on what he can do to be ready for his moment when it comes.
Despite the fierce competition in the Super Eagles' striking lineup, Awoniyi stays optimistic, believing that if it's his time, he'll show what he's capable of, no matter who else is around.
The coaching staff makes the final decisions for the Super Eagles, and players like Awoniyi have to trust the process and give their all to be the best player they can be.
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Awoniyi is focusing on consistency to make it to the tournament, echoing that he doesn’t need to compete against Osimhen or Boniface to earn his spot.
Young players can learn from Awoniyi's mindset; by concentrating on self-improvement, they can climb the ranks without getting sidetracked by others' accomplishments and focus on rising above the competition and taking their skills to the next level.