Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has replaced injured Victor Osimhen with Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau this Friday and Tuesday next week.
Awoniyi’s inclusion was announced via the Super Eagles’ official social media accounts on Sunday after Osimhen’s withdrawal was confirmed by the team doctors.
“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 announcement read on X.
Awoniyi will return to the Super Eagles for the first time in two years. The last time Awoniyi played for Nigeria was during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya in Uyo, where the Super Eagles won 1-0. He featured for 16 minutes in the game. Africans& Diaspora
Osimhen’s absence was confirmed after the Galatasaray striker was initially included in the 24-man squad announced last Thursday.
“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected. He was included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and the Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Super Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window,” a statement from the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, read.
“But his absence from Saturday’s match confirms Galatasaray’s correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches.”
The Super Eagles will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.