Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has issued a subtle warning to the Super Eagles ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Eric Chelle’s side will be without their talisman, Victor Osimhen, who has been ruled out of the two encounters with an injury.

Osimhen suffered a muscle strain during Galatasaray’s 3-2 win over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4.

The absence of the 27-year-old comes as a huge blow to Eric Chelle, as records show that Nigeria have struggled whenever Osimhen has not been on the pitch.

Speaking ahead of the AFCON qualifiers, the former midfielder urged the team to deliver in the absence of the Galatasaray striker.

Adepoju, popularly known as Headmaster, believes Eric Chelle still has enough quality at his disposal to beat Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

“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 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.”

WDN