Tolu Arokodare: 5 Key facts about Super Eagles newcomer

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled a 23-man squad for Nigeria’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The final squad, trimmed from an initial 39-man list, was announced on Tuesday.

Among the new invitees is Tolu Arokodare, alongside Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu and home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha of Niger Tornadoes.

Here are five key facts about Arokodare:

1. Lagos Roots and Early Beginnings
Tolu Arokodare was born on November 23, 2000, in Festac Town, Lagos, where he began his football journey.

2. Youth Career in Nigeria
During his formative years, Arokodare played for Kash Academy and Flying Sports Academy in Festac. He also attended the Segun Odegbami International College and Sports Academy before moving to Box2Box FC academy in Surulere. He later had trials with SC Freiburg (Germany) and Toulouse (France).

3. A Towering Presence on the Field
Standing at 1.97 meters (6 ft 6 inches), Arokodare is an imposing figure and a major threat in aerial duels.

4. European Journey and Transfer to Genk
In January 2023, Arokodare made a high-profile move from Amiens FC (France) to KRC Genk (Belgium) as a replacement for Paul Onuachu, who joined Southampton.

5. Goal-Scoring Form in Belgium
Arokodare has played for clubs across Latvia (Valmiera), Germany (FC Köln), France (Amiens), and Belgium (Genk). Currently, he is the top scorer in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with 16 goals, solidifying his reputation as one of Nigeria’s most in-form strikers.

With his aerial prowess, goal-scoring ability, and European experience, Arokodare could be a key asset for the Super Eagles in their quest for World Cup qualification.