Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi to replace injured Victor Osimhen for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Nigeria will begin its qualifying campaign with a home clash against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Awoniyi’s inclusion on the official Super Eagles X account.
“Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. Welcome back, Taiwo,” the post read.
Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, was initially named in Chelle’s squad despite concerns over his fitness ahead of the September international window.
However, the striker was ruled out of the qualifiers after suffering a right adductor muscle strain.
His recovery took longer than expected, with Osimhen missing Galatasaray’s Turkish Süper Lig fixture against Trabzonspor on September 19.
The match had been regarded as an important fitness test for the striker ahead of the international window.
Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal.
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The former Nigeria international now returns to the Super Eagles squad as the team begins its campaign for a place at the 2027 AFCON.
Nigeria will host Madagascar on September 25 and travel to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifier on September 29.
The Super Eagles are also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on October 6.
However, Awoniyi’s call-up is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
