Taiwo Awoniyi has been forced to return to Premier League club Nottingham Forest after he suffered a groin injury in a 1-1 home draw with Lesotho.
The striker will therefore miss Sunday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, which will be played in Rwanda because the home team do not have a standard stadium to stage the game.
Officials announced that Awoniyi will return to England for more medical attention Friday night when the rest of the squad fly out to Rwanda for a second 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Awoniyi started against Lesotho in Uyo Thursday, but was replaced by OGC Nice striker Terem Moffi in the 59th minute.
Injury has shut out several key Nigeria stars like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze from World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
