Ajax Amsterdam star Tolu Arokodare has played down speculation over whether he should be handed a starting role when Nigeria begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Madagascar on Friday evening.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle faces a selection dilemma ahead of the fixture at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, with first-choice centre-forward Victor Osimhen withdrawing from the squad after failing to recover from injury.
The Malian tactician could opt to deploy two strikers, as he did at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when Osimhen and Akor Adams were paired up front, with Ademola Lookman operating in a playmaking role.
In addition to Adams and Arokodare, Chelle has Super Eagles newcomer George Ilenikhena and Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi at his disposal.
Arokodare was asked whether he believes he should be starting more regularly for the Super Eagles, but the forward stressed that the decision rests with Chelle.
"I think everyone that deserves to start should start if the coach thinks it is the right time for you to start, if the coach thinks you are the right player to start, if the coach thinks this is the right formation to play, then it should be done," Arokodare said to Naija Sports.
"Whoever deserves it, whoever has worked hard for it, whoever the coach feels is the right player to start should start.
"“I don't decide, none of us decide. The coach definitely doesn't have, ‘this is my starting player.’ It all depends on how the game goes and how you want to approach different games, so I cannot really say."
Since making his international debut in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, Arokodare has earned 10 caps but has started just one match for the Super Eagles.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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