Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has finalized his 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, with a few fresh faces making the cut. Among them is Tolu Arokodare, a towering forward who has been making waves in European football.
Here are five key things to know about the Super Eagles’ latest call-up:
Lagos Roots & Football Beginnings
Born on November 23, 2000, in Festac Town, Lagos, Arokodare honed his skills at Kash Academy, Flying Sports Academy, and the Segun Odegbami International College before joining Box2Box FC in Surulere.
A Journey Through Europe
After trials with SC Freiburg and Toulouse, Arokodare launched his professional career in Latvia with Valmiera, before playing in Germany (FC Köln), France (Amiens), and now Belgium with Genk.
Aerial Dominance
Standing at a towering 1.97m (6 ft 6 in), Arokodare is a nightmare for defenders, excelling in aerial battles and set-piece situations.
Genk’s Game-Changer
In January 2023, he made a high-profile move from Amiens to KRC Genk, filling the void left by Paul Onuachu’s departure to Southampton.
Goal-Scoring Machine
Arokodare is currently the top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with 16 goals, making him one of Nigeria’s hottest attacking prospects.
With his imposing presence and eye for goal, Arokodare could be a game-changer for the Super Eagles. Will he seize the moment on the international stage?
