Former Nigeria international, Mutiu Adepoju, has urged the Super Eagles to show they have enough quality to cope with Victor Osimhen’s absence as they begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Osimhen will miss Nigeria’s opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau after failing to recover in time from a muscle injury, depriving head coach Eric Chelle of one of his key attacking options.
Adepoju admitted that the Galatasaray forward’s contribution to the team cannot be overlooked but stressed that his absence should not hinder Nigeria’s preparations or performance.
“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 said Osimhen’s unavailability gives other members of the squad an opportunity to step up and prove their worth as the Eagles begin another qualification campaign.
Taiwo Awoniyi has been brought back into the squad as Osimhen’s replacement, while Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze are among the attacking players available to Chelle.
Adepoju also urged the players to learn from Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the AFCON qualifiers provide an opportunity to regain the confidence of 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.”
The Super Eagles will open their qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
With Osimhen ruled out, Chelle will have to settle on an attacking combination capable of delivering positive results in the two opening fixtures.
