Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has urged the Super Eagles to show they have enough quality to cope with Victor Osimhen’s absence as they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Osimhen has been ruled out of Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after taking longer than expected to recover from a muscle injury, leaving head coach Eric Chelle without one of his most important attacking options.
Adepoju acknowledged the significance of the Galatasaray striker’s absence but insisted that Nigeria must not allow it to affect their approach to the crucial fixtures.
“Unfortunately, Osimhen will not be available because everybody knows his quality and what he brings to the team,” Adepoju said.
“But Nigeria has other quality players who can do the job. His absence should not be an excuse.”
The former Real Madrid midfielder believes Osimhen’s absence provides an opportunity for other members of the squad to take greater responsibility and demonstrate their ability on the international stage.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled to the squad, while Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze give Chelle several attacking options to choose from.
Adepoju also urged the players to learn from Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and use the AFCON qualifiers as an opportunity to restore confidence among supporters.
“The players know what happened with the World Cup,” he said. “They have another opportunity now to make Nigerians proud by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.”
The Super Eagles will open their Group L campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25.
Nigeria will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their second qualifying fixture.
With Osimhen unavailable, Chelle will now have to settle on an effective attacking combination as Nigeria begin their pursuit of a place at the 2027 AFCON.
Leave a comment