Taiwo Awoniyi is back in the Super Eagles squad for the first time in almost two years after Nigeria confirmed that Victor Osimhen will miss the country's opening two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced Awoniyi's recall on Sunday, September 20, after Osimhen was withdrawn from the squad because he is still recovering from a muscle injury sustained while playing for Galatasaray.
The change means Awoniyi will join Nigeria's preparations for the Group L campaign, with the Super Eagles scheduled to host Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau for the September 29 meeting with Guinea-Bissau. The Confederation of African Football confirmed Osimhen's absence after the NFF communicated the striker's continuing rehabilitation.
Awoniyi's return comes after a prolonged absence from the national team.
The Coventry City forward's most recent appearance for Nigeria came in October 2024, when he played 16 minutes in the Super Eagles' 1–0 victory over Libya in an AFCON 2025 qualifying match in Uyo. He was subsequently absent from the national team for an extended period, including Nigeria's 2026 Unity Cup campaign and the June international programme.
His latest call-up was not part of Eric Chelle's original 24-man squad announced on September 17.
Chelle had initially selected Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare among the forwards for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures. Awoniyi was not included at that stage.
Three days later, the situation changed.
Osimhen was formally ruled out after continuing treatment for the muscle problem, and Awoniyi was brought into the squad as his replacement.
Osimhen's withdrawal changes the attacking options
Osimhen had been included in Chelle's original squad despite the injury that had already kept him out of club action.
The Galatasaray striker suffered the injury during a Turkish Süper Lig match against Başakşehir earlier in September. CAF reported that he was forced off in the 33rd minute, with subsequent medical examinations revealing a muscle strain and pain in his right thigh.
His initial recovery period was estimated at at least two weeks, creating the possibility that he could return around the September international window.
That possibility did not materialise.
Osimhen remained unavailable for Galatasaray's league fixture against Trabzonspor on September 19, a match that had been viewed as an important fitness checkpoint for the striker.
The NFF subsequently confirmed that he would not be available for Nigeria's matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
CAF reported that Osimhen has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria since his senior international debut in 2017.
His absence therefore removes one of the most experienced goalscorers from Chelle's options for the opening stage of the qualifying campaign.
The decision also means Nigeria will begin a new AFCON qualifying cycle without the forward who has been central to several of the team's recent competitive campaigns.
Chelle now has to work with the remaining forwards in the squad, including Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon, Adams, Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, alongside the newly recalled Awoniyi.
The change does not alter the dates of Nigeria's opening fixtures.
Madagascar remains the first opponent, followed by Guinea-Bissau four days later.
Awoniyi receives a late return
Awoniyi's recall closes an unusual circle for the striker.
He was initially left out of Chelle's September squad.
His return was then made possible by Osimhen's withdrawal.
The NFF announced the decision through the Super Eagles' official social-media channels, saying Coventry City striker Awoniyi would replace Osimhen for the AFCON qualifiers and welcoming him back to the team.
The recall comes shortly after Awoniyi changed clubs.
In August, Coventry City signed the Nigerian striker from Nottingham Forest in a transfer reported by Reuters to be worth approximately £9 million.
The move followed a period in which Awoniyi had worked his way back into regular involvement at club level.
He now begins a new chapter with Coventry while simultaneously returning to the Nigerian national team.
For the Super Eagles, the timing gives the coaching staff an experienced international forward who has previously operated in competitive AFCON and World Cup qualifying environments.
A long road back to the national team
Awoniyi's last appearance for Nigeria was in October 2024.
He came off the bench during the 1–0 victory over Libya in Uyo and played 16 minutes.
That appearance followed his participation in Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but he subsequently missed several national-team selections.
In June 2026, Awoniyi explained that he had been approached about participating in Nigeria's Unity Cup programme but had opted out for personal reasons.
He said at the time that he had spoken with Chelle and had decided not to participate in the June fixtures.
That meant his return was not simply a matter of waiting for the next available squad.
Nigeria continued with other attacking options while Awoniyi remained outside the national-team setup.
The striker's recall for the September qualifiers therefore marks his first competitive return since 2024.
It also comes at a particularly important stage of the national team's schedule because the fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are Nigeria's first matches in the qualifying campaign for the 2027 AFCON.
The road to AFCON 2027
Nigeria was drawn into Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.
The qualifying schedule places Nigeria's opening match against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25.
The team will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for the September 29 fixture.
Tanzania is also in the group and is one of the three countries hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Uganda.
The qualifying campaign therefore begins with two fixtures in quick succession.
For the coaching staff, that creates a need to manage the squad across two competitive matches within four days.
For the players, it means the September international window represents the start of a new qualifying cycle rather than simply a friendly period.
The NFF had originally planned separate groups for the competitive AFCON matches and the subsequent friendly against Russia.
Nigeria is scheduled to play Russia on October 6, but the squad for that match is expected to feature a younger group of players.
Awoniyi's replacement is specifically for the two AFCON qualifiers.
Chelle's original selection
Before Osimhen's withdrawal, Chelle's 24-man AFCON squad combined experienced internationals with several players receiving their first senior call-ups.
Goalkeepers selected were Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali.
The defensive group included Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ola Aina.
The midfield featured Alexander Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi and Raphael Onyeka.
The forwards included Lookman, Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
Three players were selected for their first senior call-ups: Okonkwo, Isaac James and Ilenikhena.
The squad also saw the return of Nwabali and Aina.
Several established players were absent, including William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, according to CAF's squad report.
Awoniyi's addition consequently does not simply replace one striker with another.
It adds another experienced option to an attacking group that was already undergoing some changes.
What Awoniyi brings to the squad
Awoniyi has built his career around his ability to operate as a central striker.
His international experience includes appearances in AFCON and World Cup qualifying campaigns, as well as Nigeria's participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
His return gives Chelle another forward who has previously worked within the Super Eagles environment.
It also reduces the need for the coach to rely entirely on players who have either had limited senior international experience or were introduced more recently.
That does not determine how much playing time Awoniyi will receive.
The decision on the starting lineup will remain with Chelle.
His inclusion simply expands the coach's available options after Osimhen's withdrawal.
The squad already contains several different attacking profiles.
Lookman provides an established international option, while Chukwueze and Simon have also accumulated substantial experience with Nigeria.
Arokodare, Adams, Ilenikhena and Usor provide additional choices.
Awoniyi's return adds another player with previous competitive experience in the national team.
A new club, a new international chapter
Awoniyi's international recall comes only weeks after his move to Coventry City.
Reuters reported that Coventry completed the signing from Nottingham Forest in August, with the transfer reported at approximately £9 million.
The move represented another stage in the striker's club career.
Awoniyi had spent several seasons at Nottingham Forest after establishing himself in European football, following earlier spells that included Union Berlin and other clubs.
His return to the Super Eagles now coincides with his adjustment to a new club environment.
International windows can present a different set of demands from club football.
Players have limited training time with national teammates, and coaches must prepare for competitive matches within days rather than weeks.
That makes familiarity with the national setup useful.
Awoniyi already knows the Super Eagles environment and has played alongside several members of Chelle's current squad.
The importance of the Uyo opener
Nigeria will begin the qualifying campaign at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The venue has hosted a number of important Super Eagles matches over the years and has become one of the team's regular home grounds.
The Madagascar fixture on September 25 will therefore be the first competitive test of Chelle's new AFCON campaign.
Nigeria's previous AFCON qualifying experience is extensive, but every qualifying cycle begins with a new set of fixtures and circumstances.
The first match will also be played without Osimhen, forcing the coaching staff to work with a different attacking configuration from the one initially planned.
Awoniyi's arrival gives Chelle another option before the squad settles into its final matchday preparations.
Madagascar enter the campaign as the first opponent
Madagascar, known as the Barea, will be Nigeria's first Group L opponent.
The two teams have met several times in African competition, including at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, when Madagascar defeated Nigeria 2–0 in the group stage.
That result remains part of the history between the countries, although the September 2026 match will involve different squads, coaches and circumstances.
The current qualifier is therefore a new contest rather than a continuation of that earlier tournament.
Nigeria's preparations have been shaped by the Osimhen injury and Awoniyi's late recall.
Madagascar's preparations will similarly determine the personnel and tactics they bring to Uyo.
Guinea-Bissau follows quickly
Only four days after the Madagascar match, Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau away from home.
The fixture is scheduled for September 29 in Bissau.
That creates a demanding sequence for the Super Eagles.
The team will have limited time between the two games for recovery, tactical adjustments and travel.
The second match could also require Chelle to rotate his squad depending on player fitness and the outcome of the opening fixture.
Awoniyi's return could therefore become relevant across both matches, although his precise involvement will depend on the coach's decisions.
Nigeria's schedule leaves little room for a long adjustment period.
The squad must move quickly from preparation to competitive football.
Why Osimhen's injury has affected the plans
Osimhen was initially selected despite his injury because there was still a possibility that his recovery would progress sufficiently for the September matches.
That expectation explains why his name appeared in Chelle's original squad announced on September 17.
The subsequent confirmation that he would not be available forced the NFF to make a late replacement.
CAF said Osimhen continues to recover from the muscle problem and that his availability for Nigeria's October friendly against Russia remains uncertain. A decision will depend on the progress of his rehabilitation and his return to club action.
The NFF has not announced a timetable beyond the information concerning the September qualifiers.
As a result, the immediate focus is on the two matches Osimhen will miss.
The striker's international record
Osimhen's absence is notable partly because of his record with the national team.
CAF lists him as having scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria.
His record places him among the country's most productive modern international forwards.
That record also means his absence creates a numerical gap in Nigeria's attacking statistics.
But football teams do not operate through individual goal totals alone.
Chelle has several other attacking players available, and the coach's task is to determine how those players will be combined against each opponent.
Awoniyi's recall adds another experienced striker to that group.
Awoniyi's previous national-team involvement
Awoniyi has been part of the Super Eagles setup across several coaching regimes.
His most recent competitive appearance before the latest recall came against Libya in October 2024.
He played 16 minutes in that match as Nigeria secured a 1–0 victory.
His earlier international involvement included the 2022 World Cup qualifying period and Nigeria's preparations for subsequent major tournaments.
He has therefore spent considerable time within the national-team system.
That familiarity may be useful during a short international window, although his current club situation and match fitness will also be relevant factors for the coaching staff.
Nigeria's broader attacking pool
The Super Eagles' current forward group reflects a mixture of experience and youth.
Lookman has become an established part of the team.
Chukwueze has extensive international experience.
Simon has also been a regular member of recent Nigeria squads.
Arokodare has been part of the senior setup, while Adams, Ilenikhena and Usor represent additional options.
Awoniyi's arrival adds another experienced player to that mix.
Chelle can therefore choose between different types of forwards depending on the match situation.
A central striker can offer a focal point for attacks, while wide forwards can provide different movements and attacking angles.
The tactical arrangement will depend on the coaching staff and the opponent.
Ilenikhena remains part of the picture
One of the players whose position becomes more interesting following Osimhen's withdrawal is George Ilenikhena.
The forward was among the three players receiving their first senior call-up in Chelle's original squad.
His inclusion had already indicated the coach's willingness to introduce younger attacking options.
With Osimhen now unavailable, the competitive environment within the forward group changes.
Ilenikhena remains one of the players available to Chelle, alongside Awoniyi and the other forwards.
However, selection for a squad does not guarantee a starting position or an appearance.
The coaching staff will determine how the players are used during the qualifiers.
The Nwabali and Aina returns
The September squad also includes the return of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali and defender Ola Aina.
Their inclusion provides additional experience in the defensive areas.
Nwabali played a prominent role in Nigeria's run at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, while Aina has been an established Super Eagles defender.
Chelle's squad therefore contains a mixture of players who have featured extensively for Nigeria and newcomers seeking their first caps.
That combination is part of the wider transition taking place under the coach.
The team is beginning a new AFCON qualifying cycle after the conclusion of the previous continental campaign.
A qualifying campaign after the World Cup disappointment
Nigeria's AFCON campaign follows a period in which the national team missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The next major competitive objective is therefore qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria remains one of Africa's most experienced AFCON participants and has won the continental title three times.
The qualifying campaign provides the national team with a new competitive cycle.
The opening two matches will establish the immediate context for the group before the team moves on to subsequent fixtures.
The NFF's selection of separate squads for the qualifiers and the Russia friendly also indicates a deliberate distinction between competitive matches and the October exhibition fixture.
The Russia friendly is a separate assignment
Nigeria is scheduled to face Russia on October 6 after the two AFCON qualifiers.
Chelle named a separate group for that fixture, with several younger players included.
The arrangement allows the coaching staff to manage the demands of the September qualifying matches while giving other players an opportunity to participate in an international fixture.
The Osimhen situation currently applies specifically to the September qualifiers.
CAF said his availability for the Russia friendly remains uncertain and will depend on his recovery and return to club action.
Awoniyi's replacement, meanwhile, was announced specifically for the Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau fixtures.
A short preparation window
The Super Eagles have limited time to prepare for Madagascar.
The NFF announced the original squad on September 17.
Osimhen's withdrawal was confirmed on September 20.
Awoniyi was then recalled.
The first match is September 25.
That leaves the coaching staff only a few days to integrate the returning striker into the group.
International football routinely operates under such compressed schedules.
Players arrive from clubs in different countries, sometimes after weekend matches, and national coaches must quickly establish tactics and team selection.
Awoniyi's familiarity with Nigeria's setup may reduce some of that adjustment compared with a player receiving his first international call-up.
But he will still need to adapt to the team's current tactical instructions under Chelle.
The coach's immediate decisions
Chelle now has several decisions to make before the Madagascar match.
He must decide who starts in attack, how the midfield supports the forwards and which players are best suited to the opponent.
He must also determine how much responsibility to place on established players and how much opportunity to give newer members of the squad.
The absence of Osimhen removes one option from those calculations.
Awoniyi's arrival gives him another.
The final lineup will not be known until matchday.
What the players face
For Awoniyi, the September window represents a return to international competition after a lengthy absence.
For the younger players, it is an opportunity to make their senior debuts.
For established players such as Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman and Chukwueze, the qualifiers represent another stage of their international careers.
And for Chelle, the two matches are among the first competitive fixtures of a new AFCON cycle.
The different circumstances converge in Uyo on September 25.
Nigeria's immediate schedule
The Super Eagles' next three international fixtures are clearly defined.
The first is the AFCON 2027 qualifier against Madagascar on September 25.
The second is the Group L qualifier away to Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The third is the international friendly against Russia on October 6.
The first two fixtures carry competitive significance because they determine Nigeria's progress in the AFCON qualifying group.
The Russia fixture is separate from the qualification campaign.
The squad arrangements also reflect that difference.
What Awoniyi's return means
Awoniyi's recall gives Nigeria an experienced international striker at a moment when the team's original first-choice attacking option is unavailable.
It also marks his first return to the Super Eagles since October 2024.
His club move to Coventry City provides another layer to the story, as he begins a new phase of his club career while re-entering the national setup.
The immediate question is not whether he can replace Osimhen statistically — no single player automatically reproduces another player's record — but how Chelle incorporates him into a forward group that already contains several established and emerging options.
That decision will become clearer during training and, ultimately, in the matches themselves.
The significance of the Madagascar match
Nigeria's opening fixture will provide the first competitive indication of how the team operates without Osimhen.
The match will also introduce the new qualifying campaign to the Nigerian home crowd.
The result will form part of Group L's standings, but one match will not determine the entire campaign.
Nigeria still has subsequent fixtures against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania.
The September matches are nevertheless important because they establish the team's initial position in the group.
A campaign built around depth
The late recall of Awoniyi highlights one of the practical realities of international football: squads need depth because injuries can change plans at short notice.
Chelle's original selection already contained several forwards.
The Osimhen injury required an additional adjustment.
The ability to call on an experienced player such as Awoniyi gives the coaching staff another option without having to redesign the entire squad.
That depth will remain relevant throughout the qualifying campaign.
Injuries, suspensions, club commitments and changes in player form can all affect future selections.
The wider development of the Super Eagles
The current squad also reflects a mixture of generations.
Experienced players such as Ndidi, Iwobi, Lookman and Chukwueze remain central members of the team.
At the same time, Chelle has introduced Okonkwo, Isaac James and Ilenikhena to the senior squad.
The inclusion of Nwaiwu and other younger players also points toward a broader effort to expand the pool available to the national team.
The AFCON qualifying campaign therefore provides an opportunity to balance immediate competitive requirements with longer-term squad development.
What happens next
The Super Eagles' preparations continue in the lead-up to the Madagascar fixture.
Awoniyi is expected to join the squad after receiving his late invitation.
The coaching staff will then work on the team's tactical plan for the opening match.
Osimhen will continue his rehabilitation with Galatasaray.
CAF has said his return to the national team for the October friendly remains dependent on his recovery and return to competitive club football.
For Nigeria, the immediate focus is therefore clear: prepare for Madagascar, recover quickly after the first fixture and travel to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifier.
A different-looking attack
Nigeria will enter the September qualifiers with a forward line different from the one initially planned.
Osimhen is out.
Awoniyi is in.
Lookman, Chukwueze, Simon, Arokodare, Adams, Ilenikhena and Usor remain among the attacking options selected by Chelle.
The eventual combination will depend on the coach's tactical decisions.
What is certain is that the late change has altered the composition of the squad only days before the first competitive fixture.
From absence to opportunity
For Awoniyi, the recall represents a return after nearly two years away from the Super Eagles.
For Nigeria, it provides another experienced attacking option.
For Osimhen, the immediate priority is completing his recovery before returning to competitive football.
For Chelle, the task is to prepare the team without one of the forwards originally selected for the campaign.
The circumstances illustrate how quickly international football can change.
A player can be selected one week and unavailable the next. A player outside the squad can then receive a late call-up and find himself preparing for an important competitive fixture.
That is now the situation facing Awoniyi.
The road begins in Uyo
Nigeria's pursuit of a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations begins on September 25 against Madagascar.
Four days later, the Super Eagles travel to Guinea-Bissau.
The team enters the qualifying campaign with a revised attacking group following Osimhen's withdrawal and Awoniyi's recall.
The NFF has confirmed that Awoniyi will replace Osimhen for the two matches, while CAF has confirmed the injured striker's absence and provided the latest information on his recovery.
The September fixtures will now provide Chelle with his first opportunity to work through the competitive campaign with this altered squad.
For Awoniyi, it is a chance to reconnect with the national team after his long absence.
For the Super Eagles, it is the beginning of another continental qualification journey.
And for Osimhen, the next stage is recovery and a return to action when medically ready.
The circumstances surrounding the squad have changed, but the schedule has not.
Nigeria will still meet Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
The focus has therefore shifted from waiting for Osimhen's recovery to preparing the available players.
Awoniyi is now part of that preparation.
His return brings an experienced international striker back into the Super Eagles fold at the start of a new AFCON qualifying campaign — one that Nigeria will begin with a changed attack, a mixture of established and new players, and two competitive fixtures in the space of four days.
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