Tolu Arokodare makes decisive impact as Nigeria overcome Tanzania

Tolu Arokodare scored twice in 10 minutes to inspire Nigeria to a 3-1 victory over Tanzania and earn praise from head coach Eric Chelle, although the manager also explained why the Ajax forward had not started the match.

Nigeria struggled to make an impression in the first half and went into the interval level at 1-1. Arokodare was introduced after the equaliser and quickly changed the contest, finding the net twice to secure the win.

After the game, the ANS agency asked Chelle why he had left Arokodare out of the starting XI.

“It depends on the players available to us. If you want to press high, you need players with stamina. Tolu is very tall, so that type of pressing can be difficult for him,” said the Nigeria manager.

Arokodare’s arrival also prompted Chelle to adjust his formation. Nigeria moved to a flat 4-4-2, adopting a more direct approach and making greater use of the wide areas during the second half.

“We started playing in a flat 4-4-2. Our game became more direct. As you saw in the second half, we looked more to use the wings. We wanted to create one-on-one situations there and deliver crosses,” Chelle said.

“After all, Tolu’s strength lies in the penalty area.”

Chelle was emphatic about the qualities Arokodare displayed once Nigeria began supplying him in the box.

“If he can get the ball into the penalty area, he is probably the best striker in the world at the moment,” said Chelle. “He played very well and I am happy for him.”

However, Chelle warned that Nigeria could not spend too long celebrating the result, with the return match against Tanzania scheduled for Tuesday in Tanzania.

“We cannot dwell on this success because we play again on Tuesday,” he added.

Tanzania head coach Miguel Angel Gamondi was also struck by the difference Arokodare and Nigeria’s other substitutes made after the break.

Nigeria had controlled possession during the opening half, according to the Argentinian manager, but had created few clear chances. The introduction of the substitutes altered the balance of the match.

“Nigeria had possession of the ball in the first half, but rarely created clear opportunities,” Gamondi said after the game.

“In the second half, we faced substitutes of a completely different calibre: tall and powerful forwards. That is what made the difference today.”