Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare has expressed confidence that he would soon get a call-up to the Super Eagles.
Arokodare has been in fine form for Genk in the Belgian Jupiler, scoring six goals in 10 league appearances.
Despite his impressive scoring feat, Arokodare was not invited for this month’s AFCON 2025 qualifiers between the Super Eagles and Libya.
However, the 23-year-old believes provided he keeps performing he will surely be invited in subsequent games.
“We have a huge talent in our attack obviously and the whole squad is full of talent,” he told Tribalfootball.com.
“ I haven’t been contacted by the NFF, but with time, if I keep performing right and doing the right things, I think I will get that call soon, and me not being called up I think it’s not my time and I think the players that are being called up before me, they worked to be in that position, they deserved every invitation to the Super Eagles. I just need to have patience and work harder.”
Also Read: 2025 AFCONQ: Approach Libya Game Like A Cup Final –Lawal Advises Eagles
On whether this is his best season he has ever played:”I would not say it is the best I ever played, I would say it’s the best ever played in the top higher level. I had seasons like this in the past where I played a lot, but obviously Belgium is the higher level. It is more competitive at a higher level.
He added:”It has been amazing for me here knowing that Genkis at the top of the table. I think to have played seven games and won five games is really good and the atmosphere is really great. I’m sure that we will continue to approach each game with positive energy and great morale for the team to continue the winning streak.”
Arokodare stated that after his early struggles in the Belgian topflight, he has settled down well now.
“Yes. I would say I feel comfortable in the league, I feel like I understand the league a bit better now and my teammates understand me a lot better too
He revealed how he was spotted by scouts.
“I was first playing for Box 2 Box in Lagos, Nigeria and then I had my agent make some contacts with the club in Latvia and I went there, from there to Koln and Valmeria and here now.”
5 Comments
Arokodare has done very well in Belgium, but others have done well too in the recent past.
Onuachu and Orban painted Belgium red with goals. They arguably did better than Arokodare, though Arokodare’s story is still ongoing. But the point is just doing well in Belgium may not be enough to secure his spot in the SE. Arokodare has to do more.
1) Obviously, keep shaking the net with reckless abandon in the Belgian league.
2) Seize opportunities that come in Europe.
3) Try to move to a better league.
These are the actions that will force his invitation. The same thing applies to Olatunji. He is also a decent striker, but the league he currently plays in may be used as the reason to exclude his invitation for now.
As for Akpom and Orban, there is simply no reason or excuse why we are yet to see these guys in action for the SE.
Talking about Dessers, he did not do himself a favour with his performance in his last couple of games for NIgeria. Missed several chances. Sitters even. One time, even he was so embarrassed after a particularly bad miss. Granted, that’s not enough to write him off permanently. But then, his move to Rangers is not helping his cause. Scotland is considered a soft league, with good reason. Banging in goals week in, week out in Scotland is not going to move decision makers much. Again, recall that Orban in particular practically colonized Belgium with goals, yet he can’t get an SE invite.
To help his cause, Dessers should follow the same suggestions I gave to Arokodare and Olatunji.
Best wishes to all our strikers.
I beg to disagree, some players playing in less fancied league do better than those in the top leagues you mentioning. In respect to Dessers, most of his call ups are friendly games and not real active games. You very well know most players tend to play safe during this period. What are the chances going to top leagues will guarantee playing time. Eg is Awoniyi. Since orban left Belgium, has he being featuring in games.
We shouldn’t underate the Belgian and Czechia Leagues too much. Some of the players that play in those leagues are good enough for the national team. They just need to be given a chance. I don’t believe adding one or two new players would disrupt the rhythm of the team.
Arokodare, for one deserves a chance. We need as many goal-scorers as we can get.
I’m big fan of Coach Eguaevon but that Tanimu kid should not have been invited. Nothing personal against the player. Just that he didn’t merit a call-up at this time.
I really want to know what criteria is used to know when a player is qualified to the national team?
I will also like to know whether it’s a cast in stone rule?
Am just inquisitive cos the some people things it’s like the rule is like the ten commandments.
Look at the case of Orban. Scoring for fun in Belgium, but the goals have been much harder to come by in the French top flight. Is it that Orban’s form has dropped, or is it that he’s now playing in a tougher league?
Onuachu that most say has been an SE flop was a prolific scorer in this same Belgian league. Man was a goal machine over there. He did the same in Turkey, but can’t find his feet in the English Premier League. Why is this? Loss of form, misfortune, or a tougher, more challenging league?
It does appear that the Belgian league is an easier league, compared to the top leagues. The likes of Awoniyi, Sadiq and Moffi, who have under performed in SE colors, would likely score a bunch of goals in Belgium if they played there. Imagine a fit Iheanacho, Akpom or Dessers in Belgium? It would be goals galore.
So Arokodare’s goals in Belgium are commendable, but the fact remains that most, if not all our strikers can do the same if they played in Belgium. If you’re scoring goals in the English Premiership, Serie A, French Ligue Un, Bundesliga or La Liga, it carries much more weight than if you’re grabbing goals in Belgium or Scotland, or an otherwise weaker league. Just saying.
That is not to say Arokodare doesn’t merit invitation. I would have preferred for him and other prospects to be given their bow in a friendly. Which is why I’m so disappointed that NFF have not been organizing much friendlies of recent. No matter what league a player plays in, if they impress enough in friendlies, that can help them secure their spots in the SE.