Awoniyi Called Up to Replace Injured Osimhen for AFCON Qualifiers

 Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi to replace an injured Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Nigeria will open its qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Awoniyi's inclusion via 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."

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, had initially been included in Chelle's squad despite concerns over his fitness ahead of the September international window. However, the striker was subsequently ruled out of both qualifiers after suffering a right adductor muscle strain. His recovery took longer than anticipated, causing him to miss Galatasaray's Turkish Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19 — a match that had been viewed as an important fitness test ahead of the international break.

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 its quest to qualify for the 2027 AFCON.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 as part of the qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles are also scheduled to play an international friendly against Russia on October 6, though Awoniyi's call-up is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.