Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams are among the attacking options now available to Éric Chelle as Nigeria’s Super Eagles continue preparations for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in Uyo.
Both forwards are already among the 20 players who have reported to the Super Eagles camp in Ikot Ekpene, with Ademola Lookman, Tolu Arokodare and Moses Simon also present as Nigeria prepare for Friday’s Group L encounter.
Awoniyi’s presence follows the withdrawal of Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of Nigeria’s opening two qualifiers after suffering a muscle strain while playing for Galatasaray against Başakşehir.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that Osimhen would miss the September 25 fixture against Madagascar and the September 29 meeting with Guinea-Bissau as he continues his rehabilitation.
His absence has consequently increased the importance of the alternative attacking options available to Chelle.
Awoniyi provides the coach with an experienced option in the central striking role and is returning to the national team after a lengthy absence. His most recent appearance for Nigeria came in the 2025 AFCON qualifying victory over Libya in Uyo.
Adams, meanwhile, was part of Chelle’s original 24-man squad announced for the two qualifiers. The Venezia striker joins an attacking group that also includes Lookman, Arokodare, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Usor and first-time invitee George Ilenikhena.
Lookman has also linked up with the squad after featuring for Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s Madrid derby against Real Madrid. His arrival adds another established attacking presence to a squad preparing to begin a new AFCON qualification campaign.
Arokodare has also reported for duty but acknowledged that he is not yet fully fit, despite scoring for Ajax shortly before joining the national team.
First Test for Chelle
The Madagascar fixture represents Chelle’s first competitive assignment in the new AFCON qualifying cycle. Nigeria’s 24-man squad was originally selected with Osimhen included, but his subsequent injury forced the change that brought Awoniyi back into the group.
The Super Eagles will face a Madagascar side that arrived in Uyo on Monday after reaching the final of the recent African Nations Championship. CAF reports that the Barea are seeking a return to the AFCON finals after missing the previous edition.
The first 15 minutes of Nigeria’s training session were made available to accredited media on Tuesday, while the team is scheduled to continue preparations in Akwa Ibom before Friday’s encounter.
The match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time on Friday, September 25. Nigeria will then travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
For Chelle, the immediate challenge is to settle his attacking structure without Osimhen while integrating Awoniyi, Adams, Lookman, Arokodare and the other options available to him.