Awoniyi replaces Osimhen in Super Eagles squad for AFCON Qualifiers

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.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Awoniyi’s inclusion via the Super Eagles X account on Sunday.

The NFF stated: “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, who plays for Galatasaray, was initially included in Chelle’s squad despite concerns over his fitness ahead of the September international window.

However, the striker was ruled out of the two qualifiers after suffering a right adductor muscle strain.

His recovery took longer than expected, with Osimhen missing Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19.

The match had been viewed as an important fitness assessment for Osimhen ahead of the international window.

Osimhen ruled out of Super Eagles AFCON qualifiers

Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal.

The former Nigeria international now returns to the Super Eagles squad as the team begins the quest for qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

The Super Eagles will begin their qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The Super Eagles are also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on October 6.

Awoniyi’s call-up, however, is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.