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Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, has urged the Super Eagles to prove they have enough quality to cope with Victor Osimhen’s absence in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover in time from a muscle injury, leaving head coach Eric Chelle without one of his key attacking options.
Adepoju admitted that Osimhen is an important player for the team but stressed that his absence should not affect the Eagles’ approach to the qualifiers.
“Unfortunately, Osimhen will not be available because everybody knows his quality and what he brings to the team,” Adepoju said.
“But Nigeria has other quality players who can do the job. His absence should not be an excuse.”
The former Real Madrid midfielder believes the situation presents an opportunity for other squad members to take responsibility and contribute to the team’s campaign.
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Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled as Osimhen’s replacement, while Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze are among the attacking options available to Chelle.
Adepoju also reminded the players of Nigeria’s recent disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, urging them to use the upcoming campaign to restore confidence among supporters.
“The players know what happened with the World Cup,” he said. “They have another opportunity now to make Nigerians proud by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.”
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to take on Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
With Osimhen ruled out, head coach Eric Chelle will have to find the right attacking combination as the Super Eagles begin their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign.
