Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju believes the Super Eagles possess enough quality to overcome the absence of Victor Osimhen as they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Osimhen has officially withdrawn from both fixtures after his recovery from a muscle injury took longer than expected, leaving Éric Chelle without one of Nigeria’s most important attacking players.
The 27-year-old has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Nigeria, underlining the size of the void Chelle must fill.
Adepoju acknowledged that losing a striker of Osimhen’s quality is unfortunate, but insists Nigeria cannot allow his absence to become an excuse.
“Unfortunately, Osimhen will not be available because everybody knows his quality and what he brings to the team,” Adepoju said.
“But Nigeria have other quality players who can do the job. His absence should not be an excuse.”
Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi has subsequently been recalled as Osimhen’s replacement, returning to the Super Eagles for the first time since 2024. He joins an attacking group that also includes Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.
Adepoju believes the greater motivation should come from Nigeria’s recent disappointment after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“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 host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
For Adepoju, losing Osimhen undoubtedly weakens Nigeria — but it should also provide an opportunity for the rest of Chelle’s attacking options to show that the Super Eagles are bigger than one player.
