The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace the injured Victor Osimhen for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Eagles are preparing for back-to-back qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, but they will have to navigate these crucial encounters without their star Galatasaray striker.
Osimhen Sidelined With Adductor Strain
Osimhen’s exclusion comes after the forward failed to recover from a right adductor muscle strain. National team head coach Eric Chelle had originally included the Galatasaray forward in the squad list, hoping he would recover in time for the late September international fixtures.
However, those hopes were dashed when Osimhen missed Galatasaray’s crucial Turkish Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19. The club match had been designated by both club medical staff and the Nigerian national team selectors as the final fitness test for the striker. With his recovery taking longer than expected, the decision was made to withdraw him from international duty to focus on his rehabilitation.
Awoniyi Handed Super Eagles Return
Stepping into the void is 29-year-old Taiwo Awoniyi, who recently finalized a reported £9 million transfer to English side Coventry City from Premier League club Nottingham Forest. The NFF officially announced the squad change on Sunday via the Super Eagles’ social media channels, welcoming the striker back to the international fold.
Awoniyi’s physical presence and goal-scoring pedigree will be vital assets for coach Chelle as Nigeria looks to secure maximum points in the upcoming window.
Crucial AFCON Qualifiers on the Horizon
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face a busy international break, with their AFCON qualifying campaign resuming shortly:
- September 25: Nigeria vs. Madagascar
- September 29: Guinea-Bissau vs. Nigeria
While the national team is also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on October 6, the NFF clarified that Awoniyi’s call-up is specifically to cover the two competitive AFCON qualifying fixtures.