Eric Chelle has called Tolu Arokodare possibly the best striker around when the ball is put into the box, and with Ademola Lookman ruled out of Tuesday’s trip to Zanzibar, the Super Eagles coach now has to decide whether his half-time match-winner starts against Tanzania.
Arokodare came on for Alhassan Yusuf at the break in Uyo with the score 1-1, then scored twice as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in their AFCON 2027 qualifier on Friday.
The Ajax striker had arrived in camp talking about his need to score, and his brace has already strengthened Ajax’s case for a permanent deal with Wolves.
What Chelle said about the Ajax man
Chelle’s post-match comments were reported by Legit.ng, which credited the EaglesTracker account.
When you put the ball inside the box, maybe actually he is the best striker.
He explained that the plan was to work the ball wide, win one-on-ones and cross, because Arokodare’s strength is in the box. He also kept the praise in proportion.
He did well and I am happy for him but once again we have a second game.
Akor Adams: effort first, finishing next
Starter Akor Adams got a more mixed review. Chelle told the post-match press conference, as reported by Pulse Nigeria, that the forward had run for the team but should have scored.
Adams, he gave everything, but he had the chance to score maybe two or three goals today.
He added that he was happy with the performance because Adams worked for the team.
Analysis: Lookman’s absence changes the maths
Before Saturday’s scan, the obvious plan for Zanzibar was the Uyo set-up again, with Arokodare as the change that turns a game. Lookman’s knee injury removes the player who carried the ball forward on the left, and that makes a two-striker shape more tempting.
Chelle’s own words point that way. If the route to goal is width and crosses, a tall target, as Chelle described him, who has just scored twice from the bench and a runner like Adams, who presses and stretches defences, can work together rather than compete for one shirt.
The risk is balance. Without Lookman, Nigeria would need their full-backs and wide midfielders to supply the crosses. If Chelle prefers a like-for-like winger such as Moses Simon, Arokodare may again be the weapon held back for the second half, a role he has already shown he can win games from.
Either way, the line-up Chelle names on Tuesday will show how much weight he gave his own verdict.
