Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi to replace the injured Victor Osimhen for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Awoniyi’s inclusion through the official Super Eagles X account. Osimhen was initially named in the squad but was later ruled out after suffering a right adductor muscle strain that has delayed his return to competitive action.
Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal. His return to the national team comes as Nigeria prepares to open its qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Sept. 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on Sept. 29.
The Super Eagles are also scheduled to play Russia in an international friendly on Oct. 6, although Awoniyi’s latest call-up is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying matches. Nigeria will be hoping to make a strong start to its campaign despite Osimhen’s absence.
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