By VICTOR OKOYE

Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has called up Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi to replace injured Victor Osimhen for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Nigeria will begin its qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Madagascar in Uyo on Sept. 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Awoniyi’s inclusion through the official Super Eagles X account.

“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 post read.

Osimhen, who plays for Galatasaray, was initially included in Chelle’s squad in spite of concerns over his fitness ahead of the September international window.

However, the striker was ruled out of the two qualifiers after suffering a right adductor muscle strain.

His recovery took longer than expected, with Osimhen missing Galatasaray’s Turkish Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on Sept. 19.

The match had been viewed as an important fitness assessment for Osimhen ahead of the international window.

Awoniyi, 29, recently joined newly promoted English club Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal.

The former Nigeria international now returns to the Super Eagles squad as the team begins its quest for qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on Sept. 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on Sept. 29 in the qualifying campaign

The Super Eagles are also scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly on Oct. 6.

Awoniyi’s call-up, however, is specifically for the two AFCON qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. (NAN)