Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has spoken about his omission from Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, admitting he was not shocked by the choice given his kind and restricted minutes at membership degree on the time.
Arokodare, who joined Wolverhampton Wanderers final summer time after a formidable spell with KRC Genk, made the provisional listing for the event however did not survive the ultimate minimize. He in the end watched from house because the Super Eagles battled their solution to a bronze medal in Morocco, edging Egypt 4–2 on penalties within the third-place playoff.
“I knew, without anyone telling me”
Speaking to Counter Attack, the ahead stated that his exclusion had felt inevitable lengthy earlier than the ultimate squad was introduced, tracing the turning level to Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff in opposition to DR Congo.
“To be very honest, I knew, not anybody telling me. Since that Congo game because I would be very honest,” Arokodare stated.
“That Congo game, the way I came on and off, and the way the result went… I don’t want to talk about the chance I missed because anybody can miss a chance. I obviously was trying to score.”
For Arokodare, that efficiency, mixed together with his lack of standard begins at Wolves, compelled an sincere self-assessment.
Depth, kind, and onerous truths
Rather than blaming circumstances, the striker acknowledged the brutal competitors inside Nigeria’s attacking ranks and the significance of kind heading into a significant event.
“The way my last game went with the national team wasn’t really the best and the way the season was going with Wolves. I wasn’t playing as many minutes,” he defined.
“I am like, Tolu be realistic, if you’re the coach, would you call yourself?”
He pointed to the sheer high quality and momentum of Nigeria’s ahead choices on the time, led by Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu, each of whom had been delivering constantly at membership and worldwide degree.
“Look at the strikers,” Arokodare continued.
“There was Osimhen, Onuachu; who was the highest scorer in Turkey forward of Osimhen, who’s our high scorer within the nationwide workforce.
“There is Akor Adams, who is having a very good run with the national team and was doing very well playing alongside Osimhen.”
He additionally acknowledged that he was competing from the identical bracket as Cyriel Dessers, Terem Moffi, and Victor Boniface, the latter battling health points on the time; a logjam that made choice even more durable.
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Painful, however motivating
Even with that understanding, the second the ultimate squad listing dropped nonetheless damage.
“When I saw the list and I didn’t see my name, I won’t say it was hurtful but I would say it was painful to know you weren’t selected,” he admitted.
Since lacking out on AFCON, Arokodare has responded in the one manner footballers really can, on the pitch. He has seen elevated minutes at Wolves and stepped up his performances because the membership combat to keep away from relegation, regularly rebuilding momentum at a important stage of the season.
With the following worldwide window approaching in March, the message from Arokodare is obvious: the frustration is behind him, the teachings have been realized, and the push for a Super Eagles recall is firmly again on.
