Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled to the Super Eagles for the first time in two years after being drafted into Nigeria’s squad to replace injured Victor Osimhen for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Awoniyi’s return was announced by the Super Eagles on Sunday following confirmation that Osimhen had been withdrawn from the squad because of a muscle injury.
The 29-year-old last represented Nigeria during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya in Uyo, featuring for 16 minutes as the Super Eagles secured a 1-0 victory.
“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 Super Eagles announced.
Nigeria will open their qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Osimhen was initially included in the 24-man squad announced last Thursday, but his recovery from a muscle strain has taken longer than expected.
According to the Super Eagles’ media officer, Promise Efoghe, the Galatasaray striker had initially been selected because both the Turkish club and Nigeria’s technical team remained hopeful that he would recover in time to feature against Trabzonspor and subsequently join the national team.
“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected. He was included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Super Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window,” Efoghe said.
“But his absence from Saturday’s match confirms Galatasaray’s correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches.”
Osimhen’s absence now presents Awoniyi with an opportunity to make his long-awaited return to the national team and compete for a starting role under coach Eric Chelle.
The Coventry City forward will face competition from Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and Rafiu Durosinmi, all of whom have been pushing for greater involvement with their respective club performances.
Awoniyi made his senior Nigeria debut in 2021 and has since earned 10 international caps, scoring twice. His progress with the national team, however, has been disrupted by a series of injuries, particularly during periods when international fixtures have coincided with fitness setbacks.
His most notable Africa Cup of Nations involvement came at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, which was played in 2022. With Osimhen unavailable because of injury, Awoniyi led Nigeria’s attack alongside Kelechi Iheanacho.
He scored his first international goal during Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Sudan at the tournament.
Awoniyi also formed a promising attacking partnership with Osimhen in 2023 under former Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, although the pairing did not have a prolonged run together.
Now, after two years away from the national team, the Coventry City striker has another opportunity to establish himself in Chelle’s plans as Nigeria begin their journey towards the 2027 AFCON in Morocco.
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