2026 WCQ: Forest manager Cooper coy on Awoniyi’s release for Lesotho, Zimbabwe games

<p>Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has cast doubt on the availability of Taiwo Awoniyi for Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.</p>, <p>Awoniyi recently returned to action for the Tricky Trees following a short-term injury layoff.</p>, <p>The 26-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool last weekend.</p>, <p>Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro is expected to include the striker in his squad for games against the Crocodiles and Warriors.</p>, <p>Cooper is, however, not certain he will allow Awoniyi to travel down to Nigeria for the qualifiers.</p>, <p>“The question of international duty for Awoniyi is a conversation for next week,” Cooper told the Nottingham Post.</p>, <p>“At the moment, we are just focusing on what we might be able to get out of him this weekend against Aston Villa.”</p>, <p>The Super Eagles will face Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International, Uyo, on Thursday, November 16.</p>, <p>The three-time African champions will then take on Zimbabwe four days later.</p>