3 Taiwo Awoniyi attributes Chelle can lean on against Madagascar

Taiwo Awoniyi’s surprise return to the Super Eagles gives Eric Chelle a different attacking option ahead of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Coventry City striker joined the squad after Victor Osimhen was ruled out with a muscle injury, ending a lengthy absence from the Nigerian national team.

Awoniyi last featured for Nigeria in October 2024, when he came off the bench for 16 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Libya. He has since endured an unsettled period at Nottingham Forest before completing a move to newly promoted Coventry City this summer.

His return does not come at the perfect moment. Awoniyi has made four Premier League appearances for Coventry this season without scoring, while his latest outing ended with a straight red card against Brighton.

However, the 29-year-old offers characteristics different from those of Nigeria’s other forwards, and those qualities could be useful against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25.

3 Taiwo Awoniyi attributes Chelle can lean on against Madagascar

1. Awoniyi can give Nigeria a physical reference point

One of Awoniyi’s biggest strengths remains his ability to get into physical duels with defenders.

Against an opponent likely to spend long periods defending without the ball, the Super Eagles will need more than players capable of receiving possession between the lines. They will also need a striker who can occupy both centre-backs, protect the ball and give his teammates a target when attacks become congested.

Awoniyi’s physicality can help create space for players like Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.

Rather than always asking Nigeria’s wingers to beat defenders individually, Chelle can use Awoniyi as the focal point of attacks, allowing the other players to attack the spaces created around him.

2. His movement can stretch Madagascar’s defence

Awoniyi’s physicality is only part of the package. His movement behind the defensive line can be equally important.

Eight of his 13 non-penalty goals in the 2021/22 season involved him running onto through-balls. His ability to play on the shoulder of the last defender and attack space was central to his effectiveness.

That remains an attribute Chelle can exploit. If Madagascar defend deep, Awoniyi does not necessarily have to wait inside the penalty area. His willingness to run beyond the centre-backs can force them to retreat, creating more room for Lookman, Chukwueze or the second striker, Akor Adams.

That movement could also prevent Nigeria from becoming too predictable. Chelle’s attack contains several players who prefer receiving the ball to feet, but Awoniyi gives the coach an option to attack the space behind the defence.

3. Awoniyi brings experience

The third attribute is less obvious but equally important. Awoniyi has played in AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns and was part of Nigeria’s squad at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

His international career has been interrupted by injuries and competition for places, but he understands the demands of playing for the Super Eagles.

That experience could matter if Madagascar frustrate Nigeria. Awoniyi’s current club numbers mean Chelle cannot expect him to replicate Osimhen’s goalscoring output.

His four Premier League appearances have produced no goals, while his last Coventry league appearance ended prematurely with a red card, but the Madagascar game does not necessarily require Awoniyi to be a direct replacement for Osimhen.

Chelle can instead ask him to use his strength, movement and experience to change the way Nigeria attack.

That may ultimately be the value of Awoniyi’s unexpected return: not replacing everything Osimhen does, but giving the Super Eagles another route to goal when Madagascar try to make the game difficult like the last time they played against the three-time African Champions.