Tolu Arokodare has admitted he is yet to regain full fitness ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, despite making an instant impact for Ajax in their 2-2 draw against Excelsior on Saturday.
The 25-year-old striker returned to action after missing Ajax’s previous match against Willem II through illness and came off the bench in the 62nd minute.
Arokodare needed just two minutes to make his mark, finding the back of the net to help Ajax in the entertaining draw. However, the Nigeria international revealed after the game that he was still feeling the physical effects of his illness.
Speaking after the match, Arokodare admitted he struggled to maintain his energy and quickly realised that he was not yet back to full fitness.
“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,” he said, according to AjaxLife.
The striker explained that although he had hoped to start the game, his condition during the team’s morning tactical session made that difficult.
“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,” Arokodare added.
His goal against Excelsior took his Eredivisie tally to three in six appearances, with one assist. Since joining Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, he has scored seven goals in 12 appearances across all competitions.
That impressive start has earned Arokodare a recall to the Super Eagles squad for their opening two 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second group fixture on Tuesday, September 29.
Arokodare’s fitness is expected to be closely monitored as he returns to the national team, having last represented Nigeria against DR Congo in November 2025. He was subsequently left out of the next two international windows, including the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
With Victor Osimhen’s fitness situation still a concern and competition for attacking positions intensifying, Arokodare’s performances in the Netherlands have strengthened his case for a significant role under head coach Éric Chelle.
The Ajax forward, however, remains focused on recovering completely before turning his attention fully to international duty.
“I am happy that I was able to come on, though. Hopefully, I will recover fully during the international break,” Arokodare said.
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