The Super Eagles forward was honoured for funding the Kwara Kiddies League and backing healthcare and youth projects in Nigeria.
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Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has won the PFA Beyond the Pitch Award at the 2026 Best of Africa Awards in London. The Super Eagles forward was honoured for his charity work in Nigeria.
Awoniyi was recognised for using his global profile to support social development, healthcare and youth empowerment in his home country.
A cornerstone of his work is the Kwara Kiddies League, which he funds in full. The competition gives young players in Ilorin and across Kwara State structured grassroots football, plus kits, equipment and cash prizes.
Awoniyi plays his club football in the Premier League, where Coventry host Sunderland on Saturday, October 31. Fans who follow the league can check Premier League odds on Bet9ja before kick-off.
A Proud Moment Off the Pitch
The Best of Africa Awards, supported by the Professional Footballers’ Association, honour people of African heritage who drive real social change. Awoniyi joins that list for his work in Kwara State.
Awoniyi shared the news on Instagram. He wrote that “what truly matters is what you choose to do with what you’ve been given,” and said he was grateful to receive the award.
The message sums up how Awoniyi sees his career. His football success has given him a platform, and he uses it to help young people at home.
Awoniyi’s charity record is not new. He has built a reputation for giving back, and awards like this one recognise years of steady work. Readers who follow Nigerian players can also grab YOHAIG promo for Bet9ja users before the weekend.
A Record of Giving Back
He was named the PFA Community Champion for the 2024/25 season, when he played for Nottingham Forest.
He has also taken part in local programmes, including visiting Premier League Kicks sessions.
He added another honour off the pitch in September, when he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship from the PFA Business School.
Few players balance football, study and charity so well. Awoniyi’s off-field record shows what a player can do with his platform. Readers can find Bet9ja bonus information before Coventry’s next game.
Awoniyi joined Coventry from Nottingham Forest in August. He will hope his club form catches up with his off field success.
For now, his work in Kwara is getting the recognition it deserves. The Kiddies League continues to give young players a chance.
📌 Did You Know?
- Awoniyi was born in Ilorin on August 12, 1997.
- He joined Coventry on August 17, 2026, for a reported fee of £9 million.
- He won the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup with Nigeria.
- He also won the 2015 CAF U-23 Cup of Nations.
- In the Kwara Kiddies League Season IV final, Kwara Football Academy beat Gaa Akanbi Kids 1-0, and Awoniyi handed out cash and scholarships to outstanding performers.
- Coventry’s first Premier League game in 25 years was a visit to Arsenal.
