Victor Osimhen has officially pulled out of the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover from a muscle injury.
The Super Eagles confirmed that the striker’s recovery has been slower than anticipated, with Galatasaray informing Eric Chelle in recent days that Osimhen was still recovering and would not be ready to feature for his nation.
Chelle has subsequently called up Taiwo Awoniyi as Osimhen’s replacement, marking the Coventry City’s striker return to the Nigeria national team squad for the first time in almost two years.
With Nigeria now lacking their star striker for the upcoming two qualifiers, here, Bet9ja take a look at six strikers that could replace Osimhen in the Nigeria starting XI.
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Ademola Lookman
Lookman has played in several positions for Nigeria, including as the support striker to Osimhen, as a wide player or behind the two strikers in Chelle’s currently preferred 4-3-2-1 system.
However, with Osimhen now out of the squad, Lookman may be selected as the main focal point in attack, with the Atletico Madrid man certainly the most dangerous attacking player still in the squad.
Tolu Arokodare
Alternatively, Chelle could opt for a more like-for-like swap in terms of physicality, with Ajax’s Arokodare offering the strength and speed in attack, while his 6’5” frame will also provide a different dynamic, allowing Nigeria to go more direct when needed.
Arokodare could also prove the ideal partner for someone such as Lookman, offering the physicality to partner Lookman’s technical ability.
Taiwo Awoniyi
Awoniyi is another more physical option that could start in place of the injured Osimhen, with the Coventry City striker also boasting remarkable strength and speed, while he has a proven goalscoring record in the English Premier League.
Akor Adams
Adams has become a regular starter in Chelle’s Nigeria teams in recent years, with the striker often partnering Osimhen with Lookman featuring just behind the dual strikers in an attacking midfield role.
However, with Osimhen now ruled out, the Venezia striker could retain his place upfront and start alongside one of the new strikers on this list.
George Ilenikhena
Chelle could opt to instead give the opportunity to a debutant as a way to build experience, meaning 20-year-old Ilenikhena could replace Osimhen in the starting 11.
The striker recently decided to represent Nigeria instead of France, and with high hopes that the young forward could go on to become one of the country’s next biggest superstars, Chelle may believe this is the perfect opportunity to give the striker some experience in a Nigeria shirt.
Moses Usor
Usor has also been called up to the Super Eagles squad for the first time for this international break, and the striker, who has scored 18 goals in 47 appearances for LASK Linz across the last two campaigns, may be given his first appearance for the country.
Usor is another physical striker with the speed and strength to partner effectively with several of the names on this list, while the striker has also demonstrated his technical and finishing abilities for LASK in recent years.
