Awoniyi vs Osimhen: Can Coventry striker force his way back into the Super Eagles?

Taiwo Awoniyi has a simple target at Coventry City and that is to score goals, stay fit and give Eric Chelle a reason to bring him back into the Super Eagles, Afrik-Foot reports.

The 29-year-old striker has not played for Nigeria since October 2023. He has won 10 senior caps and scored twice, with his most recent international goal coming in the 6-0 win over São Tomé and Príncipe in Uyo in September of that year.

His move from Nottingham Forest to Coventry gives him something he did not always have at Forest, which is a clear role as the club’s main No. 9. GOAL’s report quoted former Premier League player Clinton Morrison describing Awoniyi as “hungry, lean and fitter” and saying Coventry had given him the chance to be the “main number nine” at the club.

The early numbers are mixed. Awoniyi scored and assisted in Coventry’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win at Plymouth Argyle in the last week of August, but he has yet to score in three Premier League appearances. He played 90 minutes against Hull City and 70 against Manchester City, and forced a strong save from Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

That makes the next few weeks important. Awoniyi does not need to replace Victor Osimhen overnight. He needs a sustained run of goals and strong performances that put his name back into Chelle’s conversation.

Morrison believes the first goal could be important.

“Once he gets that first goal, you get the monkey off your back and you go on a good run,” he said.

Morrison also joked about Awoniyi’s history in Premier League relegation battles, saying:

“He does like one to be fair. But hopefully he can keep Coventry up. Hopefully he can. And he can be the main man for them.”

Where Awoniyi stands among Nigeria’s strikers

1. Victor Osimhen

The gap is still clear. Osimhen had six goals and two assists in his first four league appearances for Galatasaray this season. He also scored in the 3-2 win at İstanbul Başakşehir on September before his groin injury.

2. Tolu Arokodare

The Ajax striker has started the season strongly, scoring twice in his first four Eredivisie appearances, including against PSV on September 5. He also has three goals in Conference League qualifying.

3. Cyriel Dessers

Dessers has four goals in European competition for Panathinaikos this season and added a league goal against Levadiakos a few days ago.

4. Akor Adams

Adams scored 10 La Liga goals for Sevilla last season before moving to Venezia. He has started all three of Venezia’s Serie A games this season but has yet to score.

5. Taiwo Awoniyi

His advantage is Premier League experience and a style built around strength, running and battling centre-backs. His problem is obvious, he needs goals.

Osimhen’s level is not the target Awoniyi can realistically erase with a few good games. To close the gap, he needs regular starts, goals against Premier League opposition, improved fitness and consistency over several months.

Why Osimhen and Awoniyi could work together

There is another way to view the competition. Nigeria does not necessarily have to choose Osimhen or Awoniyi.

Awoniyi’s physical game could give Nigeria a different attacking option alongside Osimhen, when he is fit. He can fight centre-backs, hold the ball up and create space through his movement. Osimhen, meanwhile, is at his best attacking space, running behind defenders and attacking crosses.

A two-striker system could therefore give Chelle two different problems for defenders to solve. Nigeria have often used Osimhen as the central striker with attacking players around him. The Galatasaray forward has function effectively alongside Lookman, Moses Simon, Chukwueze and other forwards in Chelle’s attacking plans.

The idea becomes even more interesting when Osimhen is unavailable. Galatasaray confirmed he has a significant groin injury and will miss Nigeria’s September AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau. That gives Awoniyi an opening, but not a free pass.

Morrison put it simply:

“Everyone wants to play for their country and wants to play international football. It’s going to be difficult because he’s got one of the best strikers ahead of him, Victor Osimhen.”

Awoniyi’s challenge is to make Chelle believe Nigeria are stronger with both strikers available.