Tolu Arokodare is rewarded for good start at Ajax

Tolu Arokodare is back in the Nigeria squad. The Ajax forward has been called up for the qualifiers against Madagascar (25 September) and Guinea-Bissau (29 September) as the build-up to next year's Africa Cup continues.

Nigeria head coach Éric Chelle wants a close look at Tolu in action. The Ajax striker has ten caps for his country, with his last appearance coming against DR Congo in November last year.

Chelle left Tolu out during the previous two international breaks. Now the towering forward is back in, despite fierce competition for places. Victor Osimhen is usually Nigeria's first-choice striker. Former Feyenoord player Cyriel Dessers has not been called up.

After missing out on the last World Cup, Nigeria are determined to book their place at the Africa Cup. Their start has been excellent, with nine points from three matches. The top three countries in qualifying group C advance to the play-offs.

Next summer's Africa Cup finals will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Earlier this year, it was announced that the field will expand from 24 to 28 countries.

In 2024, Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the Africa Cup. Sébastien Haller's Ivory Coast proved too strong for the Super Eagles, who now begin this international period with Tolu in the squad.

At Ajax, Tolu has started the season strongly. The 25-year-old striker has scored five goals in eight matches and is generally preferred to Kasper Dolberg and Marcos Leonardo.