Chelle calls on Coventry City forward for Super Eagles’ opening Group L matches
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the change after Osimhen was ruled out of the two September qualifiers because he is still recovering from a muscle injury.
Awoniyi’s inclusion was announced through the Super Eagles’ official social media channels, with the national team welcoming the Coventry City striker back into the squad.
The 29-year-old forward was not part of Eric Chelle’s original 24-man selection announced for the qualifiers but has now been brought in following Osimhen’s withdrawal.
Osimhen misses Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau matches
Osimhen had initially been included in Chelle’s squad despite the injury he suffered while playing for Galatasaray.
The striker was forced off during Galatasaray’s Turkish Super Lig match against Istanbul Basaksehir earlier in September after suffering a muscle strain. His recovery has taken longer than initially expected, ruling him out of Nigeria’s first two AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures.
Osimhen was also absent from Galatasaray’s league meeting with Trabzonspor on September 19, a match that had been viewed as an important fitness assessment as both club and country monitored his recovery.
CAF has confirmed that Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s matches against Madagascar on September 25 and Guinea-Bissau on September 29 as he continues his rehabilitation.
Awoniyi returns to the Super Eagles
Awoniyi’s call-up represents his return to the senior Nigeria squad after a lengthy absence.
The Coventry City striker last featured for the Super Eagles in October 2024. He has made 10 senior appearances for Nigeria and scored twice since making his international debut in 2021.
His return gives Chelle another experienced option in attack as Nigeria prepare to begin their campaign to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Awoniyi recently moved to newly promoted Coventry City from Nottingham Forest in a reported £9 million deal and is now back in the international picture at an important stage of the season.
Nigeria prepare for two AFCON qualifiers
The Super Eagles will open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25.
Four days later, Nigeria will travel to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their second Group L qualifying fixture. The NFF confirmed both fixtures as part of Nigeria’s opening qualification schedule.
Nigeria had originally selected Osimhen alongside forwards including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare for the two matches. With Osimhen now unavailable, Awoniyi joins the attacking group as Chelle prepares for the opening fixtures.
Awoniyi faces fresh opportunity with Super Eagles
The call-up gives Awoniyi another opportunity to establish himself in the national team setup after spending almost two years away from international football.
His previous AFCON experience includes the 2021 tournament, which was played in Cameroon in 2022, when he featured for Nigeria and scored against Sudan during the group stage.
With Osimhen unavailable, attention will now turn to how Chelle uses his attacking options against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
For Awoniyi, the two fixtures provide an opportunity to make an immediate impact as Nigeria begin their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.