There are high stakes surrounding Nigeria’s international break, and Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare has taken some heat.
Nigeria are having an uncharacteristically poor campaign attempting to make it to next summer’s World Cup.
The Super Eagles came into this break knowing a perfect run would be needed to salvage their tournament hopes. They got the job done against Lesotho on Friday with a 2-1 win, but they are still third in their qualifying group and face leaders Benin in a make-or-break match on Tuesday.
Tolu Arokodare started in that win, but an ex-Nigeria footballer has urged manager Eric Chelle to leave him on the bench for that crucial decider.
Mutiu Adepoju says Tolu Arokodare shouldn’t start Nigeria’s final World Cup qualifier
Arokodare grabbed the only goal in Nigeria’s win over Rwanda last month, and he was again trusted in Friday’s contest. But some weren’t convinced by his performance.
Mutiu Adepoju, an ex-Nigeria international who played for Real Madrid Castilla, is one such critic.
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The Daily Post reported Adepoju’s comments on Sporty TV after the narrow win, where he expressed doubts over Tolu’s performance.
He said: “He should have done much better with the opportunity. The forward’s style of play did not suit the team’s attacking rhythm.”
Adepoju’s main gripe with Tolu was that he and Victor Osimhen were on top of each other for much of the game, remarking: “They were frequently making runs toward the same area instead of alternating between the near and far posts, which limited Nigeria’s offensive width and effectiveness in the final third.”
Tolu would be taken off in the 63rd minute and his replacement, Akor Adams, would go on to notch Nigeria’s second goal. But will the Nigeria boss heed the advice of Adepoju?
Tolu could be the hero for Nigeria next week
The game against Benin on Tuesday is crucial. It’s the last round of qualifiers for Nigeria and one they have to win.
Mathematically, a draw could be enough if South Africa lose to Rwanda, but that’s not a chance worth taking.
Tolu has seven appearances for Nigeria and two goals, a decent return that puts him just one behind his main competition, Cyriel Dessers.
Osimhen and Tolu should be a dangerous striker partnership, especially with the playmaking quality Osimhen possesses. But Chelle could well take the recommendation and leave Tolu on the bench.
As we outlined earlier this week, that Tuesday clash is a must-see international clash. Whether Tolu starts or comes on as a substitute, we very well could see some heroics from the Wolves target man.