{
  "id": 8693756,
  "title": "Awoniyi replaces injured Osimhen for 2027 AFCON qualifiers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/awoniyi-replaces-injured-osimhen-for-2027-afcon-qualifiers-8693756",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T13:40:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/awoniyi-replaces-injured-osimhen-for-2027-afcon-qualifiers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Taiwo Awoniyi has been named as the replacement for injured striker Victor Osimhen in the Super Eagles squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Read More: https://punchng.com/awoniyi-replaces-injured-osimhen-for-2027-afcon-qualifiers/",
  "key_points": [
    "Taiwo Awoniyi replaces injured Victor Osimhen for AFCON 2027 qualifiers.",
    "Awoniyi, 29, plays for Coventry City in England.",
    "Osimhen out due to adductor muscle strain and missed crucial game."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "AFCON Qualifiers: Awoniyi replaces injured Osimhen in Super Eagles squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/afcon-qualifiers-awoniyi-replaces-injured-osimhen-in-super-eagles",
        "published": "2026-09-20T12:51:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}