What a Christmas gift for Unions Taiwo Awoniyi (24)! The striker was nominated by the Nigerian Association for the Africa Cup (January 9th to February 6th) in Cameroon.

Preparations will begin on Wednesday in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Nice for him, bad for Union. For the Köpenicker, this means that Awoniyi (9 Bundesliga goals) missed at least three competitive games.

One of them is the Cup derby at Hertha on January 19th. Almost at the same time, Awoniyi will play Nigeria’s last group game against Guinea-Bissau.

Is Union’s disadvantage Hertha’s great opportunity?

Awoniyi scored twice in the last three Bundesliga duels against city rivals. Union coach Urs Fischer (55) sees Awoniyi’s nomination with a laughing eye – and a crying one.

The coach before Christmas: “I would treat the player, but it wouldn’t help us.”

Also because – depending on how far Nigeria gets – Awoniyi could be missing one or two more league games. In addition: Cameroon is currently a high-risk corona area in Germany.

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Does Awoniyi have to be quarantined after the Cup?

It depends: if he has been vaccinated or has recovered and submits the relevant proof via the entry portal, he does not have to be in isolation after his return. If he is not, he can only test himself free five days after returning. Then it would even be tight with a mission on February 13th. against Dortmund …

Does Union Awoniyi provide special travel rules to protect him from corona infection? No. Fischer: “The boys are old enough.”