Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi has been called up as a replacement for Lorient forward Terem Moffi for Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic, Completesports.com reports.
Moffi was named as replacement for Everton winger Alex Iwobi on Friday.
The forward however sustained an injury in Lorient’s 1-1 draw against Clermont on Sunday and has now been ruled out of the double-header.
Read Also: 2022 WCQ: Moffi Replaces Injured Iwobi For CAR Double-Header
The Nigeria Football Federation announced on Sunday night that Awoniyi will take the place of the 21-year-old.
Awoniyi has scored five goals in seven league appearances for Union Berlin this season.
The Super Eagles will take on CAR at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos on October 7 before facing same opponent three days later in Douala.
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COMMENTS
A big congratulations to Awoniyi. Come and take this chance and become an integral part. Another testimony to the fact,that everyone has their time and chance.
The only problem now is if that madman, empty head, average and waste product of a coach will give him game time
Hey. Who is this @destano.what a language. I wonder why anyone would call someone a mad man because of anything. That’s how down the pit some Nigerians have gone. It’s a pity.
Congratulations Taiwo Awoniyi, he has been prolific this season.The guy is far better than Terem Moffi.
You asked for him,now you have him.Congrat my guy.
Finally! Well deserved. Circumstances presented Ejuke an opportunity in the Cape Verde game and he grabbed it both hands. Chance for you too to tie down regular call ups with this CAR double header.
Round peg in a round hole, just the right fit for the rather unfortunate vacancy
Wow! Taiwo Awoniyi has had to benefit from not one but two injuries before a striker of his current goals scoring credentials can be invited to the Super Eagles. First Iwobi and now Moffi dropped out due to injuries to make way for the former youth International.
What does this mean? For a fresh winger, striker, defensive midfielder or defender to be added to the Super Eagles, 1 key member (or 2) have to become unavailable.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I really do not have an answer to that question.
Our defence (with Balogun and Co) is fully packed. Our center midfield (with Ndidi and co) is fully packed. The wings with Chukwueze, Simon and Co is fully packed while the centre forward position is fully loaded with Osimhen the chief marksman.
And, going by Awoniyi’s good fortune, it shows that we have quality options to replace the regulars at this time.
Awoniyi is not just a target man, he can be shunted to the flanks if need be. He is versatile and can be accommodated in several tactical set ups.
It will be great if he sees game-time against Central Africa Republic home and/or away.
I am really glad about the state of the Super Eagles team at this time.
Quality out, Quality in!
No shaking.
Ndidi is injured
At Deji, let’s stop them comparison, just congratulate him.
This guy should not be a replacement or back up but priority starting lineup
Well deserved call up for Awoniyi. I’m glad he’s been called up as well. I pray Rohr gives him a chance ahead of tall for nothing Onuachu.
This team lack Creativity. It baffles me how Rohr is so blind to this fact.
What has happened to Tom Dele-Bashiru, K. Nwakali, Ejaria in a situation where Iwobi(the seemingly creative player in the team) is out injured. Why not give this Creative lads a chance. Soon Strikers will play from our Defence to Attack.
Anyways, All the best Super EAGLES
It’s because this GR is overrated.the hallmark of a top quality football team is the abundance of creative skillful players.Usually outfield players, a team may have one or two on the field at the same time as they are the often the playmakers. Look at our Olympic team of 96,it had okocha,KANU,amuneke,ikpeba who were creative players.Same goes for the 94 era SE.The coach should bring in this players to spice up our game.
“Tall for nothing Onuachu” Are you kidding? He is one of the leading goal scorers in the Belgian league presently. Name any of your favourite players who have scored more goals than Paul. Shall we please learn to criticise constructively.
While I wouldn’t use the phrase “Tall for nothing” to describe Paul onuachu because it is both insulting and untrue, His game definitely needs alot of work.
His tall frame is one of the reasons he scores so many goals as nodding in aerial balls have become common to him.
But, it is his movement on and off the ball that needs work especially in the Super Eagles. When playing for his club he already understands the game plan and the other players know where exactly he wants the ball. But for the Super Eagles its different because we play a fast attacking game with most of the balls being played on the ground. This style doesn’t really favour onuachu but he has managed to score a few goals from it.
When I watched the highlights of his recent hattrick, I saw how he fumbled and almost missed the first two goals. It took him about 3 touches just to control the ball, if not for a bit of luck on his side he might have missed the two opportunities presented to him. He was a bit clumsy in that game.
To be a top striker one needs to be precise and assured in their game not always expecting luck ot mistake from the opponents but always being ready to pounce on every opportunity and to do so assuredly.
I feel if paul moves to a higher level he may struggle to score goals but then again he may not. But as it stands now, he is the best striker in the Belgian league and he deserves respect for that.
https://youtu.be/h95HqfOxVAM
Congratulations to you Awoniyi! What a way to earn a potential first debut with your national team. Buzzing with confidence after the two fine taken goals… Taiwo like osimehn is going to be too cold to hold and too hot to handle for the world defenders from now henceforth…
I wish terrem moffi a speedy recovery to bounce back and better like never before…
What belongs to you will forever be for you irrespective of whichever places it first landed before it finally gets to you: firstly, it was iwobi,2ndly,to moffi and finally, to the rightful owner Taiwo the son of Awoniyi (meaning; the Diviner is valuable). May you Awoniyi be valuable to the super eagles and make concerned Nigerian proud always..Ameen.
Congratulations once again AWONIYI!
Wow…see how defenders couldnt mark him down. So strong on the ball. This guy shouldnt a call up as a result of injuries to some players, he should be a regular…He brings to the team what the Likes of OSIMHEN brings….But i guess he is not GR’s type of player and thats why he is not getting the needed recognition. I hope he takes this chance with full hands. With respect to what Onuachu is doing in his club…i still prefer Awoniyi to Onuachu in the Super Eagles set up
Not quite as fast as osimhen but just as strong. His confidence is really growing and very soon he will be both feared and respected by all teams in the bundesliga.
Keep it up Awoniyi
Big congratulations to Awoniyi for his brace this evening, one of the goals being his clubs 100th goal in Bundesliga, and most especially for his Super Eagles call up.
Following his brace this evening, Awoniyi was only behind Haaland and Lewandowski on the Bundesliga top scorers chat with 5 goals against the fore mentioned duo’s tally of 7 goals each. However, with his own brace against Arminia this evening too, Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick moved to third place (with 6 goals), leaving Awoniyi in 4th position. But when one considers that those first three leaders on the scorers chat are playing for the three biggest clubs in Bundesliga, you can then appreciate the status that Awoniyi is gradually assuming in the game.
His Super Eagles call-up couldn’t have come at a better time. It is very much merited, even though it sadly came at the expense of Terem Moffi (another solid striker) who suffered an unfortunate injury this evening.
Just finished watching PSV vs Sparta,though the later lost,but what a way to show to your haters that you are still spectacular.Okoye was absolutely spectacular. He showed why his club and Country has stuck 5o him as no.1.Even the commentator dubbed his performance stand out and extra ordinary.
Glad he has improved a lot.
Absolutely spot on…watched this match also…He did well all through the first haf. But had to switched over to Atalanta vs AC Million…fire !!
Okoye has always been doing his bit all season. Its left for the rest of his team to rise up to the occasion. Its very frustrating when you are up and about doing your bit to try to keep your team in the game and they are out there being sloppy.
You dont average 3 pointblank saves per game if you are bad. Even his club management acknowledged the fact that his performances last season was one of the factors that propelled Sparta Rotterdam to their highest league position in 30 years and deservingly earned him the Goalkeeper of the Season recognition. There is a limit even an experienced goalkeeper can carry an entire team on his shoulder…not to talk of a young one.
The goalkeeper whom they said isn’t fit to be our U23 goalkeeper pulled 8 saves against PSV Eindhoven tonight.
Destiny killers should keep their tongues off the name of Maduka Okoye.
Without Okoye’s heroics, Sparta Rotterdam could easily have lost that game by 5 or 6 goals. A series of stunning saves. Israeli striker Zahavi threw the kitchen sink at Okoye, to no avail. Zahavi was itching for a goal throughout the match, but Okoye refused to oblige him. One of the most interesting striker vs goalkeeper battles I’ve witnessed in recent times.
I congratulate Awóníyì…going by his anticedence in the Under 17 World cup…I think a striker had to get injured in that tournament before he got his chance to showcase what he has…and till the end of that tournament he combined so well with Kelechi Ihanacho and he scored some really fine goals…I believe, he will instantly become an integral part of the team after these 2 matches…History will always repeat itself.
I digress, but I have to sound a warning to Coach Rohr, and our left backs Sanusi, Collins and Bassey. A problem Rohr is already aware of, and has probably been preparing for. We will be facing Egypt and a certain Mo Salah at the upcoming Afcon. Rohr and the left backs that are eventually selected have a daunting task ahead in containing the rampaging Salah. He has been producing incredible performances recently, but his game today against Man City has alarm bells ringing in my head.
Often times, Man City players would double team, even triple team him, trying to stop him. Even with all that attention, Salah still provided an assist to Mane, and scored a beauty WITH HIS RIGHT FOOT. A pacy, skillful, lefty winger who has learned how to competently use his right foot. Big trouble.
We can observe this obvious signs of danger ahead, and nonchalantly stick our heads in the sand like an ostrich. Or we can face reality, and adequately prepare for it. As the saying goes, a problem recognized is half solved.
Mo Salah has always been dangerous. But as I already mentioned, he has become even more dangerous, because he has added the use of his right foot to his arsenal. Something we have advised Chukwueze to do for so long. Previously, as a defender, your task is to show Salah your right, but ensure he can’t use his left. Now, that is suicide, because he can use his right foot. So he has become more dangerous. Look at his goal against Man City today. The defender had his left well covered, so Salah smashed in a goal of the season contender with his right foot!
Some are probably thinking I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. Who is Salah? We can handle him! Egypt are not in form currently! Bla bla bla.
This line of reasoning is a huge mistake, in my opinion.
If we pridefully ignore the warning signs and fail to prepare adequately, we will likely pay a steep price when we confront the Pharoahs.
The left back selected to play against Egypt at the upcoming Afcon has to be ready to contain the beast that Mo Salah is. And the entire team has to give him the help he needs. Aggressive high pressing and tackling to block passing channels to Salah, and when Salah does get the ball, dropping back to assist the left back. If this is done right, then we can slow him down, or even stop him.
@pompei, exactly my thoughts too watching today’s cracker between Liverpool and City. I celebrated Salah’s wizardry with mixed feeling – I was naturally joyed as a Kopite, but my heart also sank when I remembered he will be rampaging and causing all sorts of trouble camping at our goal post come January.
He singlehandedly took out the city defense to square to Mane for the first goal. And for the second goal, it was sheer individual brilliance. Pure magic to wriggle himself from the middle of 4 defenders, dribbled one of them to the ground and incredibly score with his right leg
Even if we win that match, I can bet 80% Salah would score at least a goal. It will take something spectacular from our defenders and goalkeeper to keep him shut. The Salah of 2021 is raised to power 10 of the Salah of the last Afcon in 2019. The good thing is that Egypt doesn’t have a lot of big names (although many dangerous players too). We need to win our group. They edged us out the last time in 2017, so will be confidence.
“The Salah of 2021 is raised to power 10 of the Salah of the last Afcon in 2019”.
Honestly Kel, your words are not an exaggeration. His danger has increased tremendously with his new found ability to use that right foot.
And as usual with strikers as they age, he has matured and become calmer, more clinical, in front of goal.
After losing to them in 2010 and 2017, it’s about time we beat Egypt. Salah is a big problem, but we can handle him IF WE PREPARE ADEQUATELY.
We did beat Egypt in a recent match albeit a friendly. Our own Salah (Paul Onuachu) got the only goal… 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
“With the calibre of players we have, we should steamroll everyone on our way to 2022 AFCON trophy”
My reply to that school of thought usually is, “as if other countries sef no get ‘calibre’… all our own calibre join together nor even reach one (or two) man calibre for some of our fellow contenders….LMAOOooo”
Salah today showed a scary side of himself, that I cant claim I have seen before. Just as you have rightly pointed out, the earlier we started watching videos of him the better. There is no difference between Salah and Messi as far as I am concerned…they have been calling him the Egyptian Messi since the 2009 U20 world cup. And each time we have met Messi, Messi has buried us…..and the last time we met Egypt with Salah, he dealt with us too.
A sensible cripple never dies in a foretold war. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We would most likely have made the 2019 AFCON final if we had found a way around the challenge of a Riyadh Mahrez.
Pompei, may you walk and never stumble…you have made an awesome observation. There wouldn’t be time for too many preparations before January. Anything that can/will derail our ambitions to bring that trophy home should start being given attention right away.
Awoniyi is back on the block. This is his chance to stake his claim in this squad. And with the form he’s been in, he has what it takes to make an impression.
Additionaly, Michael Olise grabbed his first ever premiership goal today! A smart finish. Looking forward to more goals and assists from this talented lad.
Long overdue…..I will always say it Awoniyi is the closest we have to Osimhen in terms of a number 9
Mr. Deo, it’s not a good thing that Iwuobi and Moffi are injured, however it’s a good thing that the vacuum created by their unavailability will be filled by another top player in Taiwo Awoniyi. I pray he gets a chance impress Nigerians.
Iheanacho also scored today! We will likely see Nacho and Awoniyi reunited in the attack at some point against CAR. Looking forward to it!
Congratulations to Awoniyi. More to come.
However, my view is totally different.
Inviting Awoniyi to camp to me is nothing because he might not play in both home and away encounters so what is the point of Inviting a player that won’t get a chance to play or maybe hardly he will get five minutes to play?
How many minutes did Onyekuru and Dessers play? That Onyekuru that played his heart out against Cape Verde wasn’t called up again?
@pompei, don’t worry about MO Salah but worry about the coaching crew period.
And also, our players have to be fully focused and have to be on their toes for 90 minutes.
MO Salah is not the only dangerous player in that Egyptian team that Super Eagles players have to work on but the entire team.
We have other teams that Eagles have to be ready for. So Oga Pompei, you should be relaxed now since we have what it takes to win the tournament abi no be so ni?
Now you are feeling the heat before the tournament. It shouldn’t be like that if we have what it takes kę.
However, Awoniyi shouldn’t be worried if he doesn’t play for Nigeria this time around.
Our strikers have to work collectively to score goals. I don’t expect too much from the team because we have individual players not as a team.
Our last match showed the real reason why Nigerians should be worried about the current state of the Super Eagles.
That is the warning I am sending out for Nigerians before the encounters. It is not about the players but the quality of the coaching crew is slowing the team down. Be very prepared. Good luck Super Eagles. God bless Nigeria!!!
How does it feel guys to experiment with a front 3 of Awoniyi, Iheanacho and Osimhen??? Is that even supposed to be an experiment?? In all ramifications this are Nigeria’s best 3 forwards in Europe at the moment. The other is Onuachu but he doesn’t play in a top 5 league. A call up well merited by every stretch of imagination. I can only hope that he grab this opportunity with both hands because I’m sure he will definitely get a chance to play. As good as Osimhen is he seldom struggles in tight spaces, but always make up for it by running the channels with incredible speed. Obviously. as he becomes more experienced he will improve his qualities in tight spaces. Awoniyi on the other hand thrives in tight spaces. The way he shoved away the defender to score the first goal is what we call KOṢIDANU JẸN RỌNA LỌ. The second goal is what we call ṢAATI NAAA SIMI. Nigeria is currently blessed with two strikers who have great potential and they are beginning to realize that potential now because they all started from grassroots. Osimhen, Iheanacho and Awoniyi all started from Nigeria’s U13 National team program that is now producing the spine of a potentially historic SuperEagles. Why have they stopped that program????
Ok Omo9ja,you too needs to improve ke. Your comment is still very disjointed and still does not make sense yet.
Yea Dr.Drey,Okoye was up there,but the defence is his bane.Infact the commentator was full of praise for him.Those who says he’s not fit for the team are suffering from the infirmity of the mind and needs to reapreaise their mind.No need responding to them anymore cos they don’t worth the time.
Yes Salah is good but he was also good during the last afcon and world cup. Sometimes, players may find it difficult manifesting what they do at their top clubs in afcon. Anyway that does not mean his form presently shouldn’t make us prepare. I strongly believe if we indeed want to be Africa’s best we don’t have to be scared of Salah or any player on the continent. We should also not forget the fact that we have our own bombers and experts too.
Nice goals by awoniyi. A real improved performance from him. Also congratulations to him for his super eagles call up. We can hope to see him get some minutes in both games. If all goes well he may become a mainstay in the team. His goal scoring abilities have been impressive this season and he deserves this invitation.
Nice goal scored by iheanacho on his first premiership start. Leicester really need to work on their defence. They can score but also concede goals.