Taiwo Awoniyi has been drafted into Nigeria’s squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau following Victor Osimhen’s withdrawal through injury.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Awoniyi’s inclusion on Sunday through the official Super Eagles X account, welcoming the striker back to the national team.
“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,” the Super Eagles posted.
Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal.
His call-up follows the decision to withdraw Osimhen from the squad after the Galatasaray forward failed to recover from a right adductor muscle strain in time for the qualifiers.
Osimhen had initially been included in Eric Chelle’s squad, with hopes that he would regain full fitness during the international window. However, he missed Galatasaray’s Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on September 19, which had been viewed as a key fitness test.
The Super Eagles subsequently confirmed that Osimhen remains under treatment and will miss Nigeria’s opening AFCON qualifying fixtures.
Nigeria will face Madagascar on September 25 before taking on Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
Chelle had earlier named separate squads for the AFCON qualifiers and Nigeria’s international friendly against Russia.
Following the two qualifiers, the Super Eagles are scheduled to face Russia in Moscow on October 6, 2026.
