The Nigerian national football team, better known as the Super Eagles, have had some good news before their first AFCON 2027 qualifiers match. Midfielder Raphael Onyedika has reportedly returned to action and is expected to feature after suffering from shoulder trouble at his club, Eintracht Frankfurt. Nigeria will take on Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau this month in AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Onyedika Back After Shoulder Trouble
Onyedika got hurt during Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2-2 draw against Freiburg in the Bundesliga on September 20. The 25-year-old had to be treated after receiving a nasty challenge but was able to finish the match.
It was reported that the injury was not severe enough, paving the way for him to be part of Nigeria during the international window. Onyedika is one of four midfielders chosen to play in the two AFCON qualifiers, along with captain Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, and Frank Onyeka.
This becomes an important inclusion since Nigeria lost a few midfielders due to injuries. Players such as Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf were unavailable due to injuries.
Osimhen Out, Awoniyi Back
There have been changes made to the lineup, with Osimhen being replaced by Awoniyi for this September qualifier. Osimhen, the Galatasaray striker, did not make the list as he did not recover from his injury to his right adductor muscle.
Taiwo Awoniyi will replace Osimhen in the national team squad following the announcement made by the Nigeria Football Federation. Awoniyi, the striker of Coventry City, returns after transferring to Nottingham Forest.
Chelle still has a number of attacking players in his squad, which includes Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.
Complete List of Players for Nigeria in AFCON Qualifiers
- Goalkeeper: Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali
- Defenders: Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Chibuike Nwaiwu
- Midfielder: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika
- Forward: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena, Moses Usor
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When Will Nigeria Play?
The Nigerian side will start their Group L qualifying games with a match against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25. They will then play a match against Guinea-Bissau four days later on September 29 in Bissau.
In addition, Nigeria is set to face Russia in a friendly match on October 6, although it will not be the same team since Chelle will pick a new squad for this match instead of using the squad for AFCON group qualifiers.
It should also be noted that in Nigeria’s AFCON group, there is Tanzania, which is one of the hosts of the upcoming tournament along with Kenya and Uganda. Therefore, Tanzania automatically qualifies for the tournament.
As for Chelle, he will need to find the balance between the midfield and attack, where Onyedika is fit but Osimhen is missing.
