COVENTRY forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to replace Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the change via the official Super Eagles X account on Sunday.
“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 post read.
Awoniyi Returns After £9m Coventry Move
Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal.
His inclusion follows Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the two qualifiers due to a right adductor muscle strain.
The injury had initially been expected to heal in time for the September international window, with Osimhen included in coach Eric Chelle’s squad in the hope that he would regain full fitness.
However, his recovery took longer than anticipated, with the striker missing Galatasaray’s Turkish Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on 19 September. The match had been considered an important fitness assessment for the forward by both his club and the national team.
Qualifiers and Friendly Lined Up
Nigeria will face Madagascar on 25 September before taking on Guinea-Bissau on 29 September in their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles are also scheduled to play Russia in an international friendly on 6 October, although Awoniyi’s replacement is specifically for the two AFCON qualifiers.
