Following an impressive start to the 2024/25 league season, Nigerian fans are pushing for K.R.C Genk striker Tolu Arokodare or Glasgow Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers to be included in the Super Eagles squad over Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi, as the team prepares for their final qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles will face Benin away and Rwanda at home, needing just a draw from either game to secure a spot in next year’s AFCON tournament in Morocco.
With Victor Osimhen set to return from injury, he is likely to make the squad, while Awoniyi could be the one to miss out to make room for fresh faces. Arokodare, in particular, is on track for his first Super Eagles call-up.
Arokodare has been a breakout star in the Belgian Pro League, with eight goals and three assists in 13 games, matching his entire goal tally from last season in nearly half the matches.
Among Nigerian strikers in Europe, Arokodare currently leads with eight goals in 13 games, closely followed by Victor Boniface (eight goals, one assist in 13 games) and Dessers (seven goals, three assists in 17 games). Osimhen has also been impressive, tallying four goals and four assists in just seven matches.
In contrast, Awoniyi has struggled in the Premier League, going goalless in his first seven matches this season and losing his starting spot to New Zealand’s Chris Wood, who has scored eight goals in 10 appearances.
Interim Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen indicated in the last international break that both Arokodare and Dessers were under consideration for the squad.
With Awoniyi’s recent form, it appears increasingly likely that one of these two rising talents could secure a spot in his place.
