Awoniyi gets first Eagles call-up since 2024

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Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi will return to the Super Eagles for the first time in two years after being handed a call-up to replace injured Victor Osimhen in the 24-man squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, The PUNCH reports.

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Awoniyi’s inclusion was announced via the Super Eagles’ official social media accounts on Sunday after Osimhen’s withdrawal was confirmed by the team doctors.

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The last time Awoniyi played for Nigeria was during the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Libya in Uyo, where the Super Eagles won 1-0. He featured for 16 minutes in the game.

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“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,” the announcement read on X.

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The Super Eagles will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

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Osimhen’s absence was confirmed after the Galatasaray striker was initially included in the 24-man squad announced last Thursday.

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“Victor Osimhen’s recovery from a muscle strain has been slower than expected. He was included in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON qualifiers because Galatasaray and Super Eagles technical crew were hopeful he would be fit for the Super Lig game versus Trabzonspor and ready for the international window,” a statement from the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, read.

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“But his absence from Saturday’s match confirms Galatasaray’s correspondence to Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle that the striker is still recovering and will not be ready for Nigeria’s matches.”

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In Osimhen’s absence, Awoniyi, who recently switched from Nottingham Forest to newly promoted Coventry City, will hope to get the nod from Chelle to lead the line.

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He faces competition from other forwards, including Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and Rafiu Durosinmi, who have all been making strong cases with their respective club form.

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Since making his senior international debut in 2021, the 29-year-old has made 10 appearances for Nigeria, scoring two goals.

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Despite enjoying impressive spells at club level, Awoniyi has struggled with injuries, particularly around international windows, limiting his involvement with the national team.

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His deepest run at the Africa Cup of Nations came at the 2021 tournament, which was played in Cameroon in 2022, where he led the line alongside Kelechi Iheanacho.

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Osimhen was also ruled out of that tournament through injury, leaving Awoniyi to spearhead Nigeria’s attack. He scored his first international goal in the Super Eagles’ 3-1 win over Sudan.

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In 2023, Awoniyi also formed a striking partnership with Osimhen under Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, although the combination was short-lived.

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