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Taiwo Awoniyi has replaced the injured Victor Osimhen ahead of Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
According to a report by the Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe, Osimhen was ruled out of the upcoming qualifiers after his recovery from a right adductor muscle strain took longer than expected.
Osimhen was included in the Super Eagles squad for the international window as there were hopes he would regain full fitness in time for the qualifiers.
However, his expected return was delayed after he was not available for Galatasaray’s Süper Lig clash against Trabzonspor on Saturday.
The match had been seen by both club and national team officials as an important fitness assessment for Osimhen.
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Following Osimhen’s absence, Awoniyi has now been called up as a replacement for the Galatasaray striker.
“Coventry City striker, Taiwo Awoniyi replaces Victor Osimhen in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau,” a statement on the Super Eagles official X handle confirmed.
“Welcome back, Taiwo. 🦅”
Awoniyi has made 10 appearances for the Super Eagles and has scored two goals.
The 29-year-old Awoniyi was part of the Super Eagles squad that featured at the 2021 AFCON under Gernot Rohr.
His only goal during the tournament came in a 3–1 group stage win against Sudan.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
Csn Osimhen’s Galatesary was thrashed 4-0 by Trabzonzpur with beyond prime sallah, the highest paid player in Turkish league scoring a hat trick and you guys didn’t report….
Let’s hope Awoniyi can finally come good in the Super Eagles. His previous showing leaves a lot to be desired. Just not enough return when it comes to goals and assists.
But why is Orban overlooked again? Is it still because his nationality switch has not been properly completed? How can a player in such form be overlooked, while others who have been there since 2015 and are under-performing keep getting invited? He is not even considered for the Russia friendly! Na wa ooo!
At this point, Orban should kuku go ahead and pledge his allegiance to Togo, since Nigeria doesn’t need him.
Austin Eguavoen led us to that disastrous AFCON in 2021 NOT Gernot Rohr…. don’t give him a bad record