Taiwo Awoniyi, Super Eagles striker, says he prayed on “my knees from 6 am to 12noon” the day he scored a brace against Southampton in the just concluded English Premier League (EPL) season.

Awoniyi spoke while giving testimony during a recent church service tagged Koinonia and organised by the Eternity Network International (ENI).

The 25-year-old had scored his first EPL brace in a 4-3 victory over Southampton on May 8.

He would follow the performance with another brace against Chelsea the following week.

He also netted the vital goal that guaranteed Forest another season in the EPL.

Awoniyi scored 11 goals in all competitions for the club despite a few months of injury layoff.

While testifying in the church, the Ilorin-born striker acknowledged that the early stage of his move to the English side was “really tough”.

He added that the situation changed when Taiwo Jesudun, his wife, nudged him about his reluctant attitude towards prayer.

“I moved to England with my family. The beginning was really tough. I had no idea what was going on. My wife said to me, ‘You’ve stopped praying. You don’t pray the way you used to do anymore.’ And that was true,” Awoniyi said.

“So, on May 7, I think, Daddy was preaching about the ways of God. The first statement that I heard was that ‘everyone should return to the pattern that they used to praise God.’ That Monday, we had a game in the night. I was on my knees from 6 am to 12 noon. That night, that was the easiest game that I have played in my life. And I scored twice.

“My club, which was really struggling for relegation, moved from that zone and stayed in the league. I just want to give all the glory to God.”

Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has signed to join Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad for three years starting next season, a source in the Jeddah-based club told AFP on Tuesday.

“Benzema has signed a contract for his transfer to Al-Ittihad for a three-year period starting next season,” said the source.

Chelsea have confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the English Premier League (EPL) club’s new manager.

The club announced Pochettino’s appointment via a statement on Monday.

The former Tottenham coach signed a two-year contract, with the option of a further year.

He takes over from July 1, replacing Frank Lampard, the club’s departing interim manager.

“Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm Mauricio Pochettino will become head coach of the men’s team from the beginning of the 2023/24 season,” the statement reads.

“The Argentine will begin his new role on 1 July 2023 on a two-year contract, with a club option of a further year.”

Speaking on the appointment of the former PSG coach, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, said Pochettino’s experience, commitment to development and winning were key in his selection to replace Thomas Tuchel who was sacked earlier in the just-concluded season.

“Mauricio’s experience, standards of excellence, leadership qualities and character will serve Chelsea Football Club well as we move forward,” they added.

“He is a winning coach, who has worked at the highest levels, in multiple leagues and languages. His ethos, tactical approach and commitment to development all made him the exceptional candidate.”

Chelsea finished a disappointing 11th in the 2022/23 EPL season despite the new owners spending over £500 million in the season’s transfer market.