Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled to the Super Eagles squad for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, replacing the injured Victor Osimhen. 

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the change on Sunday through the team’s official X account, welcoming the forward back into the fold.

Osimhen was named in coach Eric Chelle’s 24 man squad on Thursday despite a muscle problem, with the hope that he would recover in time. That recovery took longer than expected, and the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after missing his club’s league game against Trabzonspor on September 19.

The Super Eagles media team said Galatasaray had not cleared him for national duty, and Awoniyi was drafted in the following day.

The recall ends a near two year absence for the 29 year old, who last featured for Nigeria in October 2024. His time away was linked to persistent injury problems, a dip in form and limited playing time at Nottingham Forest. He has since moved to newly promoted Coventry City in a reported £9 million deal and has been a regular in the Premier League, although goals have proved elusive.

He is yet to score in four league appearances this season, and his most recent outing ended in a straight red card for an elbow on Brighton defender Max De Cuyper in a heavy 5 goals to nil defeat on September 13.

Awoniyi is not a stranger to the national team, having made ten senior appearances and scored twice, including at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He will now compete with the other forwards in the group for a starting role as the Eagles begin their Group L campaign at home against Madagascar in Uyo before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau.

Chelle’s side are also scheduled to play Russia in a friendly on October 6, though Awoniyi’s replacement is specifically for the two qualifiers.

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