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| Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare |
Tolu Arokodare has left the decision on who leads Nigeria’s attack against Madagascar to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle as the team prepares for its opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Friday.
The Ajax forward is one of several attacking options available to Chelle following Victor Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad.
Osimhen, Nigeria’s leading active goalscorer, failed to recover from an injury suffered during a club game earlier this month and will miss both September qualifiers.
Chelle has since drafted Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi into the squad as Osimhen’s replacement, while Akor Adams and first-time invitee George Ilenikhena are also available for selection.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second Group L fixture on September 29.
Chelle could also deploy a two-striker formation, having previously paired Osimhen with Adams during the 2025 AFCON, with Ademola Lookman operating in a creative role.
Asked if his recent club form should earn him more starts for the Super Eagles, Arokodare said the final decision rests with Chelle and will depend on the coach’s tactical plan.
“I think everyone that deserves to start should start if the coach thinks it is the right time for you to start, if the coach thinks you are the right player to start, if the coach thinks this is the right formation to play, then it should be done,” he said.
“Whoever deserves it, whoever has worked hard for it, whoever the coach feels is the right player to start should start. I do not decide, none of us decide.
“The coach definitely does not have, ‘this is my starting player.’ It all depends on how the game goes and how you want to approach different games, so I cannot really say.”
The 25-year-old made his Super Eagles debut during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda and has since earned 10 international caps, starting just once.
His impressive club form, however, has strengthened his case for more playing time with Nigeria.
Arokodare, who joined Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scored just two minutes after coming off the bench in Ajax’s 2-2 draw against Excelsior last weekend.
Despite his recent form, the striker has admitted that he is not yet back to full fitness after recovering from a fever.
“I needed this match to realise that I am not yet 100 per cent fit. I still feel weak,” Arokodare told ESPN.
Nigeria are in Group L alongside Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania have already secured automatic qualification as co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau to battle for the group’s remaining qualification spot.