Awoniyi returns to Super Eagles after two years

Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi is back with the Super Eagles after two years. He has been called up to replace injured Victor Osimhen in the 24-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, according to The PUNCH.

The Super Eagles announced Awoniyi’s return on their official social media on Sunday. This came after team doctors confirmed Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad.

Awoniyi last played for Nigeria during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya in Uyo. In that match, the Super Eagles won 1-0, and Awoniyi was on the pitch for 16 minutes.

“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 announcement said on X.

The Super Eagles will kick off their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25. They will then travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

Osimhen’s absence was confirmed after he was initially included in the squad announced last Thursday. He plays for Galatasaray.

“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected. He was included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Super Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window,” said Promise Efoghe, the team’s media officer.

“But his absence from Saturday’s match confirms Galatasaray’s correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches.”

With Osimhen out, Awoniyi hopes to get a chance to lead the attack. He recently moved from Nottingham Forest to newly promoted Coventry City. He will face competition from other forwards like Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, and Rafiu Durosinmi, who are also performing well at their clubs.

Since his senior international debut in 2021, Awoniyi has played 10 times for Nigeria and scored two goals. Despite good performances at the club level, he has faced injury issues that have limited his time with the national team, especially during international breaks.

His best showing at the Africa Cup of Nations was in 2021, which took place in Cameroon in 2022. In that tournament, he played alongside Kelechi Iheanacho after Osimhen was ruled out due to injury.

Awoniyi led Nigeria’s attack during that tournament and scored his first international goal in the Super Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Sudan. In 2023, he also formed a striking partnership with Osimhen under coach Jose Peseiro, though it was short-lived.