Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
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 qualifying matches.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed Awoniyi’s inclusion on Monday through 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,” the federation stated.
Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, was initially named in Chelle’s squad despite concerns over his fitness but was subsequently ruled out after suffering a right adductor muscle strain.
The injury also kept him out of Galatasaray’s Turkish Süper Lig match against Trabzonspor on September 19, which was expected to provide an indication of his readiness for the international window.
Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported ÂŁ9 million deal and now returns to the Super Eagles squad for the qualifiers.
Nigeria will host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The Super Eagles are also scheduled to play Russia in an international friendly on October 6, although Awoniyi’s latest invitation is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying fixtures.
