Taiwo Awoniyi will join the Super Eagles ahead of Nigeria’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers, replacing Victor Osimhen and giving coach Éric Chelle an extra attacking option.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the recall on Sunday through the Super Eagles X account, confirming Coventry City forward Awoniyi has been summoned to the squad for the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Awoniyi, 29, has not featured for Nigeria since October 2024. His return restores depth to a forward line that already includes Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze and Tolu Akorede.
Osimhen, the injured striker, has been ruled out after sustaining a right adductor muscle strain. The Galatasaray forward remained in Chelle’s initial selection while his recovery was monitored, but the rehabilitation progressed more slowly than expected, forcing his withdrawal from the September international window.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25, then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later. The fixtures begin the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2027 campaign in Group L, and Awoniyi’s inclusion ensures the coach has a fresh option up front for both ties.
Awoniyi now faces a short turnaround to link up with the squad and stake a claim for minutes in the two qualifiers. With Osimhen unavailable for the opening games, Chelle must integrate the recalled striker quickly to preserve attacking continuity as Nigeria begins its qualification run.
