Taiwo Awoniyi has been added to Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after Victor Osimhen was ruled out of the upcoming fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the change on Sunday, September 20, 2026, with the Coventry City striker returning to the Super Eagles squad after initially missing coach Éric Chelle’s 24-man selection for the qualifiers.
Osimhen’s withdrawal follows a lingering muscle injury that has delayed his return to competitive action. The Galatasaray forward was initially selected in Chelle’s squad, but his recovery did not progress quickly enough for him to feature during the current international window.
Awoniyi’s inclusion gives Chelle another established centre-forward option as Nigeria prepare for two Group L matches that will open their campaign for qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Osimhen was included in the original squad announced by Chelle on September 17 despite his injury concerns.
The decision reflected expectations that the striker could recover in time for the international window. However, he remained unavailable for Galatasaray’s league match against Trabzonspor, reinforcing concerns about his fitness for Nigeria’s qualifiers.
The Super Eagles subsequently confirmed his withdrawal.
Nigeria’s media team said his recovery had taken longer than initially anticipated, leaving Chelle to make a late adjustment to his attacking options.
The change means the Super Eagles will begin their AFCON qualifying campaign without the striker who was originally expected to lead their forward line.
Nigeria’s immediate AFCON schedule
- September 25: Nigeria vs Madagascar
- September 29: Guinea-Bissau vs Nigeria
- Group: AFCON 2027 qualifying Group L
- Venue for Madagascar match: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo
- Replacement for Osimhen: Taiwo Awoniyi
The fixtures represent Nigeria’s first competitive assignments in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 continental tournament.
Awoniyi’s recall restores a familiar international option to Chelle’s attacking group.
The Coventry City forward has previously represented Nigeria at senior level and was part of the country’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His return comes at a significant point for the national team because Osimhen’s absence leaves Chelle with fewer options in the centre-forward position.
Before the latest change, the original AFCON squad included Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena among the attacking options alongside Osimhen.
Awoniyi’s addition consequently expands the coach’s choices for the two qualifiers.
Attackers available to Chelle
Following Osimhen’s withdrawal and Awoniyi’s inclusion, Nigeria’s forward options include:
- Ademola Lookman
- Samuel Chukwueze
- Moses Simon
- Akor Adams
- Tolu Arokodare
- George Ilenikhena
- Moses Usor
- Taiwo Awoniyi
The final attacking combination will depend on Chelle’s tactical approach and player fitness.
Nigeria’s opening assignment against Madagascar will take place in Uyo on Friday, September 25.
The team will then travel to Bissau for the second Group L fixture against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday, September 29. The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed both fixtures when it announced Chelle’s original squad.
Chelle initially selected a mixture of established internationals and new faces for the qualifying campaign. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali returned to the squad, while players including Arthur Okonkwo, Isaac James and George Ilenikhena received senior call-ups.
The coach also retained key players such as captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.
Osimhen’s late withdrawal is therefore the latest change to a squad already undergoing adjustments as Nigeria begin preparations for the qualifiers.
The loss of Osimhen removes one of Nigeria’s established attacking outlets for the opening fixtures.
Chelle must now decide how to distribute the attacking responsibilities among Awoniyi and the other available forwards.
The Super Eagles coach has previously shown a willingness to use different attacking combinations, and the current squad contains forwards with varying profiles and club experience.
Awoniyi’s ability to play as a traditional centre-forward gives the coach another option for leading the attack, while players such as Lookman, Chukwueze and Simon can provide attacking support from wider positions.
The situation also gives the other forwards an opportunity to make an early impact in Nigeria’s qualifying campaign.
Nigeria’s immediate priority is now the opening AFCON qualifying double-header.
The Super Eagles need to manage the two fixtures without Osimhen while building momentum in Group L. The first test comes against Madagascar in Uyo, followed by the away fixture against Guinea-Bissau.
For Awoniyi, the call-up provides an opportunity to re-establish himself in the national team and contribute during an important stage of the qualifying campaign.
For Chelle, the late squad adjustment means preparations must now account for the absence of the striker around whom much of Nigeria’s original attacking selection was built.
The outcome of the two September fixtures will provide the first competitive indication of how the Super Eagles respond to the change in personnel as their pursuit of a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins.
