Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen for their 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Taiwo Awoniyi recalled as his replacement.
Osimhen, who was initially named in Eric Chelle’s squad, has failed to recover in time from the muscle injury he sustained on September 5. The Galatasaray forward lasted only 33 minutes in the Turkish Super Lig game against Istanbul Basaksehir before coming off with discomfort in his inner thigh — an injury his club later described as an advanced moderate strain of the right adductor muscle group.
His continued absence was evident on Saturday when he missed Galatasaray’s league clash with Trabzonspor, confirming fears that he would not be available for international duty.
Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe had earlier noted that Osimhen’s recovery had been slower than expected.
In his place, Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been drafted in. The Super Eagles confirmed the switch on Sunday via their official X account, writing: “Welcome back, Taiwo.”
Awoniyi now gives Chelle an extra option up front as Nigeria prepare to begin their qualifying campaign.
The three-time African champions host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25, travel to Guinea-Bissau four days later, and will then face Russia in a friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on October 6.
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