Taiwo Awoniyi has replaced the injured Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. According to a report by the Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, Osimhen was ruled out of the upcoming qualifiers after his recovery from a right adductor muscle strain took longer than expected.
Osimhen was included in the Super Eagles squad for the international window as there were hopes he would regain full fitness in time for the qualifiers. However, his expected return was delayed after he was not available for Galatasaray’s Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on Saturday. The match had been seen by both club and national team officials as an important fitness assessment for Osimhen.
Following Osimhen’s absence, Awoniyi has now been called up as a replacement for the Galatasaray striker. “Coventry City striker, Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau,” a statement on the Super Eagles official X handle confirmed. Awoniyi has made 10 appearances for the Super Eagles and has scored two goals.
The 29-year-old Awoniyi was part of the Super Eagles squad that featured at the 2021 AFCON under Gernot Rohr. His only goal during the tournament came in a 3–1 group stage win against Sudan.