Nigerian U23 striker thrilled after scoring his first Bundesliga goal for Mainz

Nigerian U23 striker Taiwo Awoniyi reacts after scoring his first Bundesliga goal for FSV Mainz in the 2-2 scored draw against Cologne on Sunday evening.

The 22-year-old Liverpool star found playing opportunities hard to come by before the league was halted in March, failing to make Mainz’s matchday squad in nine consecutive matches.

The hosts, who paraded Nigeria defender Kingsley Ehizibue in the entertaining encounter, went 2-0 up courtesy of goals from Mark Uth and Florian Kainz.

Awoniyi came off the bench in the 56th minute for his seventh league appearance of the campaign as he showed impressive composure to tuck home in the 61st minute, which inspired a second-half comeback.

Cameroon midfielder Pierre Kunde restored parity for the visitors in the 72nd minute.

“I’m really happy about scoring my first goal for Mainz. We came back very well as a team today and fought our way back into the match,” Awoniyi told reporters after the game.

Awoniyi hopes to continue to impress when Mainz host Hoffeinham in their next Bundesliga game on Saturday.