{
  "id": 8792539,
  "title": "Awoniyi gets first Eagles call-up since 2024",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/awoniyi-gets-first-eagles-call-up-since-2024",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-20T23:32:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/awoniyi-gets-first-eagles-call-up-since-2024/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi will rejoin Nigeria's national team for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, marking his first appearance with the Super Eagles since 2024, The PUNCH reports. Awoniyi replaces injured Victor Osimhen in the 24-man squad for the qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. The announcement was made via the Super Eagles' official social media accounts on Sunday following Osimhen's withdrawal due to a muscle strain. Osimhen's recovery has been slower than anticipated, and he is not expected to be fit for Nigeria's matches. Awoniyi, who recently transferred from Nottingham Forest to Coventry City, will aim to earn a starting role in the national team lineup, facing competition from other forwards such as Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, and Rafiu Durosinmi. Since his debut for Nigeria in 2021, the 29-year-old has played 10 times for his country, scoring twice. His best performance at the Africa Cup of Nations was in the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, where he led the line alongside Kelechi Iheanacho. Osimhen was also absent from that tournament due to injury, allowing Awoniyi to lead Nigeria's attack.",
  "summary": "Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up to the Super Eagles to replace injured Victor Osimhen for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Read More: https://punchng.com/awoniyi-gets-first-eagles-call-up-since-2024/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Awoniyi gets first Eagles call-up since 2024",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/awoniyi-gets-first-eagles-call-up-since-2024-8797246",
        "published": "2026-09-20T23:58:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}