Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The Franco-Malian tactician trimmed his initial 39-man list, unveiling the final selection on Tuesday.
Among the fresh faces in the squad is Tolu Arokodare, who earned his maiden call-up alongside Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu and home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes.
Five Things to Know About Tolu Arokodare
- Lagos-Born Talent
Tolu Arokodare was born on November 23, 2000, in Festac Town, Lagos, Nigeria. - Early Football Development
He honed his skills at Kash Academy and Flying Sports Academy in Festac before moving to the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy. Arokodare later trained at Box2Box FC academy in Surulere and had trials with SC Freiburg (Germany) and Toulouse (France). - Towering Presence
Standing at 1.97 meters (6 ft 6 inches), Arokodare is a formidable aerial threat, making him a valuable asset in attack. - Big Move to Genk
In January 2023, Arokodare made a high-profile switch from Amiens FC (France) to KRC Genk (Belgium) following the departure of Paul Onuachu to Southampton. - Top Scorer in Belgium
Arokodare has played for Valmiera (Latvia), FC Köln (Germany), Amiens (France), and Genk (Belgium). He is currently the top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with 16 goals, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s most in-form strikers.
With his height, goal-scoring prowess, and recent form, Tolu Arokodare could be a game-changer for the Super Eagles in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.