Who will step up for the Eagles without Osimhen?

In a few days, the Super Eagles will gather for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Coach Eric Chelle has a big decision to make, who will take Victor Osimhen's place? PUNCH Sports Extra’s ABIODUN ADEWALE looks at the options.

As the Super Eagles get ready for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, coach Eric Chelle faces a tough choice about who will lead Nigeria’s attack without Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, is out due to a groin injury he picked up on Saturday, September 5. He is expected to be unavailable for about three weeks. This raises doubts about whether he can play in Nigeria’s qualifiers against Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

With Osimhen not available, Chelle must choose from a group of strikers who have different skills and levels of experience with the national team.

Paul Onuachu could have been a solid option, but his availability is uncertain, which limits Chelle’s choices for the No.9 position.

The absence of both Osimhen and possibly Onuachu puts more pressure on the strikers who are available.

Tolu Arokodare (Ajax)

Among the strikers available, Arokodare stands out based on his current club performance.

The Ajax striker, who moved from Wolves on a loan deal, has started the season strong, scoring five goals and getting two assists in seven games.

This form puts the 25-year-old in a good position to lead the Super Eagles’ attack, but his record for Nigeria has not been as impressive.

Since making his Nigeria debut in March 2025, Arokodare has scored twice in 10 matches. His first goal was in a friendly against Russia in June 2025, and his second was the only goal in Nigeria's 1-0 win over Rwanda, which briefly boosted the Super Eagles’ hopes for the 2026 World Cup.

Arokodare might have another chance to show his skills against Russia after the AFCON qualifiers, as Nigeria will play the European side in another friendly.

Chelie must decide whether to trust Arokodare’s great club form or choose a striker who has performed better for the national team.

Akor Adams (Venezia)

If experience is the key factor, Adams might have the advantage.

The 26-year-old has had a decent start with Venezia in Italy, even though the team has struggled since returning to the top league. Adams has scored two goals and made one assist in five matches after joining from Sevilla this summer.

His record with the Super Eagles also supports his case for inclusion.

Since making his senior debut in October 2025, Adams has scored six goals and provided two assists in 15 games. Two of those goals were scored during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and he also stood out at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, getting two goals and two assists. His other two international goals came in friendly matches.

Adams has shown he can work well with Osimhen, providing a different style to Nigeria’s attack.

During the 2025 AFCON, they developed a strong partnership, which is important since other forwards like Arokodare, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Victor Boniface have not quite matched that balance alongside Osimhen.

Now that Osimhen is out, Chelle needs to see if Adams can keep that chemistry with Nigeria’s other attacking players.

Rafiu Durosinmi (Genk)

Another striker making a strong case is Durosinmi, who seems to have found his scoring form again after moving clubs twice recently.

The Ojo-born forward has started well at Genk since joining from Pisa, scoring four goals in five league matches.

His current form could earn him a spot back on the national team after only playing in friendly matches earlier this year.

Durosinmi showed during the Unity Cup in May that he can handle more responsibility when key players are missing. He played the full match against Jamaica and 45 minutes against Poland.

His recent club performance makes him an interesting option for Chelle, especially if he needs a striker who can attack space and challenge opposing defenses.

The main question is whether Durosinmi has done enough at the international level to move ahead of players with stronger records in the Super Eagles.

Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor)

The last time Iheanacho played for the Super Eagles in a competitive match was in January 2024 during the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

After a tough period with club struggles and injuries, the 29-year-old seems to have found his form at Bursaspor in Turkey’s second tier. He has scored eight goals and provided two assists in six matches, building on a good end to last season with Celtic.

His comeback certainly strengthens his case for a return to the Super Eagles, but two major questions remain.

First, can his impressive numbers in Turkey’s second division be enough to earn him a spot over Nigeria’s other options? More importantly, can the experienced forward still lead the line effectively at the international level or create the right partnership with any of Chelle’s available forwards?

Unlike Arokodare, Adams, and Durosinmi, Iheanacho has a lot of experience and a strong history with the national team. But his long absence from competitive international football means Chelle would be taking a risk by bringing him back straight into the qualifiers.

In the end, Chelle has many options, but none offer a simple replacement for Osimhen.

The first test comes against Madagascar on September 25, and then Guinea-Bissau will provide another chance four days later for one of the contenders to claim the No.9 position.