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Two years ago, he was a bit-player with the Nigerian under-17s at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.
Success Isaac was the preferred frontman while he was just a back-up for the man, who now plays in the Spanish top flight with Granada CF.
Anyway that was just after the first game in which he came on as a substitute for Chidera Ezeh in the last 18 minutes of the 6-1 win over Mexico in Al Ain City.
In the second game of that tournament, Isaac had to make way as early as the 32nd minute and the then Nigeria Under-17 team head coach, Garba Manu, now manager of the under-20s, sent on starry-eyed Taiwo Awoniyi. It was Awoniyi's goal in the last 10 minutes that secured a point in a 3-3 draw against Sweden. Awoniyi went on to play against Iraq, Iran, Uruguay, Sweden and Mexico and notched up four goals in total.
Awoniyi relived that winning feat and his rise to first-team to supersport.com: "It was one experience I won't forget. And I thank God for the chance and the coaches for believing in me when our main striker got injured."
The 18-year-old has not looked back since and has become some sorts of a cult hero and is already drawing comparisons with a former legend, who passed away almost three years ago.
The new Yekini
There have been a number of players, who have been likened or touted to fill the vacuum left by late Rashidi Yekini - Nigeria's all-time leading scorer at senior level. Recently Super Eagles and Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike was compared to the legendary striker for his bulldozing nature in front of goal, but the Fener man has hit a bad patch.
Now that ribbon is dangling on the neck of teenager Awoniyi, who is yet to play for the Super Eagles. Awoniyi in recent weeks has shown his predatory instincts as a striker and those characteristics were evident in the 2-1 win in Lusaka when he scored twice to down Zambia's under-23s despite being called into the Nigerian team few days before the game. His goals at the National Heroes Stadium ensured Nigeria's passage to the men's football event of the All-Africa Games in Congo in September this year.
His recent shows for the under-20s and now the under-23s of Nigeria have seen him not just getting plaudits, but also a big comparison to Yekini. Awoniyi said he is happy with such comparison but still feels they are just words of "encouragement that should keep me working hard."
"I thank God Almighty, the author and creator of all things. Well he [Yekini] was a legend I heard about, but as a little boy just growing up, praying and hoping to get there. I believe it is just a word of encouragement that should keep me working hard in getting and surpassing where he got to, Awoniyi told supersport.com this week.
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo Kanu has already described the teenage forward as Nigeria's "hottest kid" which has left Awoniyi saying he is excited and privileged to get such comments from a big figure like the former African Footballer of the Year winner.
Pressure as the next big star
The Flying Eagles star has boldly said he does not feel any pressure with the amount of plaudits and comparisons he gets. Awoniyi responded that he is only focused on his career as a footballer, and believes that being compared to any of the legendary players in the country will only serve as "a way of praise" for him.
He also spoke of the chance of becoming Nigeria's next number nine and was, however, philosophical about it.
"Not at all [am I under pressure]. Like I said earlier I believe it is just a way to praise me. But with God's help and hard work I can get there. I am not under any pressure at all.
"God knows best and makes all things happen. He knows what we humans don't know and I believe everyone is destined for a purpose on earth. I am just starting but I believe God's will will be done [as per being Nigeria's next number nine]," he said.
The one-off game for the U23s
Awoniyi also recognises that he has to take his development one step at a time, and is very happy that he had a run-out with the big boys in the Nigerian Under-23 national team when head coach Samson Siasia called him up for the All-Africa Games qualifier against Zambia in Lusaka.
He explained that he was able to seamlessly adapt with the under-23s due to the "love and friendship" the core players of Siasia's team showed to him and other under-20 players drafted in for the Zambia game.
"Thanks to the coaches from the head coach to the staff and again kudos to the senior boys in the team who made us from the under-20 team feel like a family among them. They never looked down on us as younger players or small boys. Their love and friendship made things easy for me and others," said Awoniyi.
The U20 World Cup and Brazil
The striker is now looking forward to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand between May and June this year with the Flying Eagles. Nigeria have been drawn in Group E with Brazil, North Korea and Hungary, and Awoniyi refused to single out Brazil as the team to be wary of, saying all three opponents will be tough.
"Well, all of them will give us tough games because for them to qualify it means they are all better sides, but with God on our side I hopefully and strongly believe we will make headway at the competition," he said.
Awoniyi though gave a faint hint of his ambition of becoming a World Cup winner at under-20 level, but he acknowledged that he still has his work cut out as he has to come through the provisional squad to make the final 21 for the World Cup.
"It has been the will of God so far that we have reached where we are and also thanks to coach Manu, who we see as a father same with coach Ugbade and Amuneke and all other officials from the under-17 team of 2013 and the present under-20 team. I also believe they have always brought out the best in us. I am just thankful for the chance to play. As for the World Cup, first I just want to put in my best so as to make the final list of the team, and after that I believe nothing can stand in our way. We have a strong mentality of winning, which is the philosophy of the team," concluded Awoniyi.
The 18-year-old will have to battle through the camping exercise which is already ongoing in Abuja to stave off the challenge of 10 other strikers including Isaac, the man who he played second fiddle to at the under-17 level two years ago.
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