Taiwo Awoniyi replaces injured Osimhen for AFCON qualifiers

Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace injured Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau.

The Super Eagles announced Awoniyi’s inclusion on Sunday through their 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,” the team announced.

Awoniyi’s call up follows the withdrawal of Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the two qualifiers after his recovery from a muscle injury took longer than expected.

Osimhen was initially included in Eric Chelle’s squad for the international window but has remained sidelined since sustaining an injury during Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig clash with Istanbul Basaksehir on September 5.

The striker was substituted after 33 minutes of the match after suffering discomfort around his left inner thigh. Galatasaray subsequently described the injury as an advanced moderate strain involving the right adductor muscle group.

Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe had earlier confirmed that Osimhen’s recovery was slower than expected.

“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected,” Efoghe said.

Osimhen’s continued absence from Galatasaray’s squad for their league fixture against Trabzonspor on Saturday further confirmed that he would not be fit for the upcoming international assignments.

Awoniyi will now provide another attacking option for Chelle as Nigeria begin their AFCON qualifying campaign

The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea Bissau to face the Wild Dogs four days later.

Nigeria are also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6.