Brought on at half-time, Ajax Amsterdam striker Tolu Arokodare scored two goals against Tanzania (3-1) in Uyo. Head coach Eric Chelle rates him “perhaps” the best striker in the world inside the box.
Yusuf had opened the scoring for Nigeria in the 2nd minute, before Msanga equalised in the 32nd. After the break, the match took on a different complexion, and the Super Eagles ran out 3-1 winners.
That change has a name: Tolu Arokodare. Thrown on in place of Tochukwu Nnadi at half-time, he scored a brace in the space of eight minutes, in the 52nd and 60th, in Nigeria’s third match in Group L of qualifying.
Eight caps, then two goals
According to FC Update, Arokodare had gone eight caps without scoring for Nigeria. That drought ended as early as the 52nd minute. His first goal for the national team came with a backheel, from a low cross, according to News18.
His form for Ajax is just as sharp: he has six goals in his last five matches, again according to News18. Victor Osimhen, meanwhile, was missing with a knee injury, per FC Update.
Chelle waxes lyrical, Gamondi takes note
The Nigeria head coach made no secret of his enthusiasm. Asked by Voetbalprimeur, Eric Chelle came out with this line: “Als je de bal in het strafschopgebied kan krijgen, dan is hij op dit moment misschien wel de beste spits ter wereld.” Translated from Dutch, it means that if the ball reaches him in the box, the Ajax man is perhaps the best striker in the world today.
On the other side, Tanzania head coach Miguel Ángel Gamondi offered a similar reading, without naming Arokodare. He acknowledged that Nigeria had the ball in the first half without creating clear chances. After the break, in his words to Ajax Showtime: “Nigeria had in de eerste helft wel de bal, maar kreeg nauwelijks grote kansen. In de tweede helft kregen we te maken met invallers van een andere kwaliteit. Grote, fysiek sterke spitsen. Dat maakte vandaag het verschil.”
Guinea-Bissau ahead, Zanzibar in sight
With 6 points from 3 matches, Nigeria sit behind Guinea-Bissau, who have 7 points, according to Football Club de Marseille.
The reverse fixture against Tanzania is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November in Zanzibar.