Osimhen out, Awoniyi in: 4 things to know about Super Eagles’ new striker

Taiwo Awoniyi has been called into Nigeria’s squad after Victor Osimhen was ruled out of the Super Eagles’ opening Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on September 20 that the Coventry City striker would replace Osimhen for the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Awoniyi was not part of Eric Chelle’s original 24-man squad announced on September 17. His inclusion is therefore a late change after Osimhen’s injury ruled him out.

Nigeria face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to battle Guinea-Bissau for the second Group L fixture on September 29.

Here are four things Super Eagles fans should know about Awoniyi’s return.

Why did Chelle recall Taiwo Awoniyi?

Awoniyi’s recall came directly after Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad.

Osimhen, Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, would have led the Super Eagles attack ahead of others like Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and George Ilenikhena.

The late change gives Chelle another recognised centre-forward with previous Super Eagles experience.

This is not Awoniyi’s first senior call-up. The 29-year-old made his Nigeria debut in 2021 and has already played in AFCON and World Cup qualifying matches.

His arrival also gives Chelle another option if Nigeria need a traditional No.9 during the two qualifiers.

The key question is whether Chelle sees the Coventry City star as Osimhen’s direct replacement or as another striker in a wider rotation.

Coventry City striker, Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Welcome back, Taiwo. 🦅#SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/L5MMPoCpEU

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) September 20, 2026

What has happened to Taiwo Awoniyi at club level?

Taiwo Awoniyi started a new Premier League chapter in August when he left Nottingham Forest for Coventry City.

The Nigerian forward had spent four seasons at Forest, scoring 23 goals in 103 appearances in all competitions.

His Coventry move gave him another Premier League opportunity under Frank Lampard, with fellow Super Eagles star Frank Onyeka also at the club.

Awoniyi has already made four Premier League appearances for Coventry this season, playing 234 minutes. He has not scored or assisted in those league appearances.

His most recent outing ended in a red card during Coventry’s 5-0 defeat by Brighton on September 13. VAR checked the straight red card for an elbow on Brighton defender Max De Cuyper and upheld the decision for violent conduct.

Awoniyi therefore arrives for Nigeria duty after a difficult club outing, but he has still had regular Premier League involvement during the opening weeks of his new campaign.

What is Awoniyi’s Nigeria record?

Awoniyi brings international experience rather than an entirely new face to Chelle’s squad.

The former Liverpool signing has ten senior appearances and two goals for Nigeria, including three appearances at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, two AFCON qualifying appearances in the 2023 cycle and two more in the 2025 qualifying campaign.

He also played once in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and once in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Awoniyi scored once during the 2021 AFCON and once during Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign.

His youth record is also significant. He represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup.

At U17 level, he scored four goals and provided five assists in seven matches, while his U20 record was two goals and two assists in four appearances. His goals powered Nigeria to win the 2013 U-17 World Cup the 2015 African U-20 Championship in Senegal.

Chelle is therefore bringing back a striker who has already experienced competitive international football at several levels.

What can Awoniyi give Chelle that the other forwards offer differently?

Awoniyi gives Nigeria a powerful central striker who can compete physically with defenders and provide a focal point when the team plays directly.

His movement can also take him away from central defenders and open spaces for players arriving from wider positions.

That could give Lookman, Chukwueze and Simon opportunities to attack spaces around the striker rather than always playing directly into the No.9.

Awoniyi can also offer a target for crosses and forward passes while giving Nigeria another player capable of occupying both centre-backs.

Chelle already has several different attacking profiles.

Akor Adams offers another central-striker option, while Arokodare provides height and physical strength.

Ilenikhena gives the coach a younger attacking option, while Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon and Moses Usor can provide width, pace and movement around the central striker.

Awoniyi’s recall therefore gives Chelle another way to structure the attack.