Arokodare gives fitness update ahead of Madagascar clash

The Wolverhampton Wanderers striker, Tolu Arokodare Photo Credit X

Tolu Arokodare has admitted he is still struggling to regain full fitness ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after scoring off the bench for Ajax against Excelsior on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 25-year-old striker, who missed Ajax’s previous game against Willem II due to illness, came on in the 62nd minute of the 2-2 draw and needed only two minutes to get on the scoresheet.

However, despite his immediate impact, Arokodare revealed after the game that he was still feeling the effects of the illness and struggled physically during his brief appearance.

“You could see after five or six minutes that I was hunched over because I was tired. I needed this match to realise that I am not yet 100 per cent fit. I still feel weak,” Arokodare said in quotes relayed by AjaxLife.

“I haven’t recovered as much as I thought. I wanted to start, but I don’t think I could have. We had a tactical training session in the morning and my legs were weak. I was dead after five or six minutes into the match.”

The goal against Excelsior took Arokodare’s tally to three in six Eredivisie appearances, with one assist, while he has scored seven goals in 12 appearances across all competitions since joining Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

His form has earned him a recall to the Super Eagles for their opening two 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with Nigeria hosting Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Bissau four days later.

Arokodare’s fitness will be closely monitored as he returns to the national team, having last featured for Nigeria against DR Congo in November 2025.

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He was left out of the previous two international windows including the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

With competition for places in the Super Eagles attack and Victor Osimhen’s fitness situation still a concern, Arokodare’s strong start at Ajax has strengthened his case for a prominent role under coach Éric Chelle.

Arokodare, however, knows he must first regain full fitness before turning his attention fully to the national team.

“I am happy that I was able to come on, though. Hopefully, I will recover fully during the international break,” he said.

Nigeria’s opening AFCON qualifier against Madagascar is scheduled for Friday in Uyo, with the Super Eagles then travelling to Guinea-Bissau for their second group fixture on September 29.