Super Eagles star targets UCL spot for Nottingham Forest after FA Cup heartbreak

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi believes securing a UEFA Champions League spot ahead of next season will be enough compensation for Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup heartbreak, Footynaija.com reports.

Nottingham Forest have had a pretty remarkable campaign on the whole, one marked by their current position on the Premier League standings (6th) as well as their outstanding run in the FA Cup where they unfortunately fell short against a resurgent Manchester City in the semi-final.

After missing out on a chance for FA Cup glory, Forest’s only chance of getting any sort of reward for their efforts this season lies in securing a top four finish and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Awoniyi, who hasn’t really been at it on a personal level this season also shares this sentiment. The big center forward revealed in an interview with Humble Boots that earning a UCL spot is Forest’s current driving force.

“I think presently nothing but the Champions League,” the former Union Berlin striker said.

“Presently we are out of the FA Cup after going through a long one. I broke my nose in the midst of it as well, and got knocked out in the semi-final.

“So, if I would justify the season and how far we have worked hard, I think making the Champions League would be a huge motivation for us as a team.”

Can Forest get the job done?

Awoniyi and his teammates have little room for error with only three Premier League matches left to play this season. The likes of Leicester City, West Ham United and fellow UCL qualification hopefuls Chelsea stand between them and European football.

Given the lineup of fixtures they have remaining, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men should be able to get the job done as Leicester have been nowhere near good enough this season while West Ham and Chelsea have both struggled for consistency.