AFCON Qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces injured Osimhen in Super Eagles squad
Awoniyi now provides Chelle with another experienced option in attack as Nigeria begin their Group L campaign The post AFCON Qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces injured Osimhen in Super Eagles squad appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria .
Taiwo Awoniyi has been named to replace injured Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The decision was shared by the Nigeria Super Eagles' official X account on Sunday. Awoniyi, a 29-year-old striker playing for Coventry City in England, is expected to join the team for their matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The tweet from the Eagles' handle read, "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." Osimhen, who was ruled out of both matches due to a longer-than-anticipated recovery from a right adductor muscle strain, had been part of the squad for the international window hoping to regain full fitness before the qualifiers.
However, his absence was extended after he missed a September 19 Süper Lig game against Trabzonspor, which was deemed crucial for his fitness. The Nigeria Football Federation announced the respective squads for the qualifiers against Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau on September 29, followed by a friendly against Russia on October 6, 2026.
Written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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