Adepoju Urges Super Eagles to Step Up Without Osimhen

Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju stated that the Super Eagles should not use Victor Osimhen's absence as an excuse in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures. Osimhen has been ruled out of matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau due to a muscle injury.

Head coach Eric Chelle will need to find effective attacking combinations without Osimhen, who is recognized for his significant contribution to the team. Adepoju acknowledged Osimhen's quality but insisted that Nigeria has other capable players who can perform well.

He mentioned that Taiwo Awoniyi has been recalled as Osimhen’s replacement, with other attacking options including Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, and Samuel Chukwueze. Adepoju reminded the players of their recent failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and encouraged them to seize this opportunity to regain the trust of Nigerian supporters.

Nigeria will host Madagascar on September 25 and face Guinea-Bissau on September 29.