Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has admitted he is not yet at full fitness ahead of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, despite scoring for Ajax in his return from illness.
The 25-year-old came off the bench in Ajax’s 2-2 draw against Excelsior on Saturday and needed only two minutes to get on the scoresheet, bringing his side level after Excelsior had taken a 2-1 lead.
However, Arokodare revealed after the match that he was still struggling physically following a recent bout of fever that had kept him out of Ajax’s previous league game against Willem II.
“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, according to quotes relayed by AjaxLife.
The striker said he had hoped to start against Excelsior but realised he was not ready for a full match after struggling during a tactical training session earlier in the day.
“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,” he said.
Despite his fitness concerns, Arokodare was pleased to have returned to action and expressed hope that the international break would give him sufficient time to recover.
“I am happy that I was able to come on, though. Hopefully, I will recover fully during the international break,” he said.
Arokodare’s condition comes under particular attention as Nigeria prepare for a double-header against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria are scheduled to host Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second fixture on September 29. Arokodare was included in coach Éric Chelle’s squad for the two matches.
His availability is also significant for the Super Eagles following Victor Osimhen’s withdrawal from the squad because of a right adductor injury sustained while playing for Galatasaray earlier this month. Arokodare is among the forwards expected to provide attacking options alongside players including Taiwo Awoniyi and Akor Adams.
Arokodare has made an encouraging start to his season at Ajax, where he joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. His goal against Excelsior was his sixth in nine appearances across all competitions, according to reports on his latest form.
The striker’s immediate priority, however, is to regain full fitness as he links up with the Super Eagles. His own admission means Nigeria’s technical team will have to monitor his condition closely before deciding how much of a role he can play in the two qualifiers.
