Awoniyi vs Arokodare: The Super Eagles striker battle Chelle faces after Osimhen injury

Taiwo Awoniyi has been handed a route back into the Super Eagles after Victor Osimhen’s injury created a sudden problem for Eric Chelle, Afrik-Foot reports.

Afrik-Foot reliably gathered that the Coventry City striker has been chosen as Osimhen’s replacement for the Super Eagles‘ September Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The decision puts Awoniyi and Tolu Arokodare at the centre of an interesting striker battle. Arokodare has been in Chelle’s plans regularly and scored Nigeria’s equaliser against Russia in June 2025, while Awoniyi has not played for the Super Eagles since 2023.

Arokodare also enters the international window with stronger recent scoring numbers. The 25-year-old has scored twice in four Eredivisie appearances for Ajax this season, including against PSV at the weekend.

Awoniyi has a different argument. Coventry have given him a regular starting role, and he scored and assisted in their 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Plymouth Argyle at the end of August. His Premier League record is less convincing so far, with no goal in three appearances, but he has started two of those matches.

Awoniyi vs Arokodare: Two very different options

Awoniyi brings experience, power and familiarity with Premier League football. At 1.78m, he is shorter than Arokodare but has built his game around strength, direct running and giving defenders a tough time. His Coventry role gives him a chance to attack crosses, hold up the ball and bring other attackers into play.

Arokodare presents a different physical problem. The Ajax striker comes in at 1.97m and 87kg, giving Nigeria a genuine aerial target. He scored twice in his first four league appearances this season and added an assist, while also scoring three times during Ajax’s Conference League qualifying campaign.

There is also recent international evidence in Arokodare’s favour. He scored Nigeria’s equaliser against Russia in Moscow in June 2025, chasing down a loose ball before finishing past Matvei Safonov. He later scored the only goal in Nigeria’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Rwanda in Uyo.

Chelle now has a clear choice. Arokodare offers height, recent international goals and current club scoring form. Awoniyi offers a different style, greater experience at the highest club level and a chance to use his strength against a Madagascar defence that will have to cope with Nigeria’s attacking pressure.

Madagascar test: Awoniyi’s chance to change the pecking order

Nigeria’s Group L opener against Madagascar is scheduled for September 25 at 4pm GMT at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Four days later, the Super Eagles travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau.

That creates a short audition for Awoniyi. If he starts in Uyo, Chelle will want a goal or two and a bit more. The striker needs to occupy centre-backs, win physical duels, attack dangerous deliveries and connect with players such as Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, and Samuel Chukwueze.

A goal would change the conversation quickly. Two strong performances could change the selection for future engagement s. A quiet outing, followed by another ineffective display, could give Arokodare the advantage.

The stakes are higher because Group L has an unusual qualification rule. Tanzania, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, is automatically qualified, meaning only the highest-ranked team from the other three nations will qualify. Nigeria therefore cannot afford a slow start.

Osimhen’s absence has opened the door. Awoniyi’s job is to make Chelle think twice before closing it.