With just weeks to go before the Super Eagles take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe, preparations are beginning to take shape.
One of the key talking points in the coming days will be the squad list, as new head coach Eric Chelle decides on his selections for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Super Eagles have always had an abundance of attacking options, but depth and adaptability remain crucial, especially in high-stakes international fixtures.
One player who has made a strong case for selection is Tolu Arokodare.
Arokodare’s Case for a Super Eagles Call-Up
Arokodare has been in exceptional form this season, recording his highest goal tally in European football since 2019.
The 24-year-old is currently the top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, with 18 goals and six assists in 33 matches.
While Nigeria boasts attacking firepower in Victor Osimhen, reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman, and potentially Victor Boniface; who has struggled for game time at Bayer Leverkusen and has yet to find his footing in the Super Eagles; Arokodare’s current form makes him a logical and deserving option for selection.
Comparing him to some of Nigeria’s regular strikers, Sadiq Umar has managed just four goals and one assist in 20 games this season.
Taiwo Awoniyi has struggled for minutes at Nottingham Forest, scoring only twice in 24 appearances.
With Kelechi Iheanacho also struggling, moving on loan to EFL Championship club Middlesbrough, Arokodare’s ability to hold up play, dominate aerial duels, and finish clinically could make him an ideal complement to Osimhen and Lookman.
Why Super Eagles Need Him in Their Precarious Situation
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign is in dire straits. The Super Eagles are currently fifth in their group with just three points from four matches, winless so far in the qualifiers.
Under former coach Finidi George, Nigeria managed a disappointing 1-1 draw against South Africa before suffering a shocking 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic, led by former Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr.
With six matches left, the Super Eagles must win all their remaining games to stand a realistic chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Eric Chelle has a massive task ahead. Since his appointment, he has been travelling across Europe, watching Nigerian players and meeting key figures like Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon as he finalizes his squad.
Reports suggest he is considering introducing fresh faces, and Arokodare could be on his radar.
Despite Nigeria’s wealth of attacking names, goal-scoring has been a major issue.
The Super Eagles need clinical finishers who can consistently convert chances, and Arokodare has proven he can deliver at club level.
With his current form, excluding Arokodare from the squad would be questionable. If Chelle truly wants to revamp the team and ensure a resurgence in Nigeria’s World Cup hopes, Arokodare deserves serious consideration.
