Nigeria have been forced to make a late change to their attacking options after Victor Osimhen was ruled out of the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Head coach Eric Chelle has called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi to replace Osimhen, who remains sidelined with a muscle injury.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Awoniyi’s return to the squad in a post on its official X account, welcoming the striker back to the national team.
“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.”
Osimhen had been expected to lead Nigeria’s attack during the qualifiers and the upcoming international friendly against Russia. However, his recovery from an adductor injury has taken longer than initially expected.
The Galatasaray forward suffered the injury on September 4 during his side’s 3-2 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir. Osimhen scored Galatasaray’s opening goal before being forced off in the 33rd minute.
Medical examinations later revealed a moderate-to-severe strain with bleeding in the right adductor muscle group.
The injury has since kept him out of several matches, including Galatasaray’s Champions League opener against Sporting CP and league fixtures against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
His absence leaves Nigeria without one of their most prominent attacking options for the opening qualifiers, but Awoniyi now has an opportunity to step into the squad and provide another experienced option in attack.
The 29-year-old recently joined newly promoted Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal and will now return to the Super Eagles setup at an important point in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign.
Nigeria are scheduled to host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.
With Osimhen unavailable, Awoniyi joins Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena among the forwards available to Chelle for the two qualifiers.
