An English Premier League footballer has celebrated his latest goal by showing off his Christian faith. Nottingham Forest’s Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi lifted his playing shirt to reveal another jersey. It read: In all darkness you became the light. Yeshua is lifted high.
It is not a direct Bible quote, but referenced a Nigerian Gospel singer and Ecclesiastes 12:13 which says: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Football officials weren’t impressed, however, with the footballer being booked for removing his playing shirt.
Awoniyi was later spotted giving testimony in a church after Nottingham’s win. He thanked God for the victory that will help his club avoid relegation. In a previous interview with Soccernet.ng, he revealed that his wife encouraged him to share his testimony in front of the congregation as a way of thanking God for the success of his team.
The Nigerian international has previously celebrated scoring for his country by revealing cross-decorated shinpads from the Christian football fellowship Ballers in God which recently announced the baptism of Birmingham City player Rico Browne. The 20-year-old defender, who has come through the academy at the Midlands club, was one of a number of believers baptised at the Junction Church in Loughborough.
He was baptised by close friend and Notts County midfielder John Bostock, the founder of Ballers in God, whose members have baptised ” a number of footballers in the past year.” In attendance was the club chaplain at Birmingham City and church member Tim Atkins. “So many amazing stories shared that evening of how God changed lives!!” he commented on the post.
Ballers in God’s post to its 302,000 Instagram followers quoted from Acts 2:38 in the New Testament: “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Photo: Nottingham Forest FC
