Tolu Arokodare has declared that his time with the Super Eagles is just beginning, after scoring his first-ever goal for Nigeria in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Russia, Footynaija.com reports.
The Genk striker netted the equaliser in the 71st minute after replacing Victor Boniface, and shortly after, took to social media to share a heartfelt message with fans.
“First international goal, the journey has only just started. We thank God,” he posted on his X account.
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The goal means more than just getting off the mark. It came in Arokodare’s fifth appearance for Nigeria, and capped off a strong few months for the 24-year-old forward who finished the 2024-25 season as Genk’s top scorer.
In May, he also won the Ebony Shoe award in Belgium, a prestigious honour handed to the best African or African-descent player in the Belgian league.
It was a moment of redemption for Arokodare, who has waited for his chance behind more recognised names like Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface. And with Boniface drawing headlines for an unexpected and now-deleted retirement post after the game, the spotlight may now shift towards the Genk man.
Reports indicate that Boniface shocked fans by writing “I don hang boot” (meaning “I’ve retired”) on social media shortly after the final whistle. Although he deleted the post minutes later, confusion spread quickly.
Some platforms confirmed the story, with others noting that Boniface had also shared a meme later on, suggesting it may have been one of his jokes. However, given his run of 13 caps without a major goal, some fans wondered if there was a deeper frustration behind the message.
Boniface was replaced by Arokodare in the 61st minute, and the substitution paid off when the Genk man capitalised on an error by Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to score.
His celebration was calm, but his post-match message was louder than words. Arokodare’s quote, “The journey has only just started,” reads like a promise to Nigerians that he is ready to fight for more chances in Eric Chelle’s side.
Victor Osimhen remains the undisputed lead striker, but with Boniface’s form under scrutiny and Arokodare now entering the conversation, competition for Nigeria’s forward line is heating up.
It is also worth noting that Arokodare has now matched Boniface’s international goal tally, which could influence future squad decisions as the team prepares for more competitive fixtures under Chelle.
The Super Eagles next return to action later this year in qualifiers, and Arokodare may now be seen as a serious option not just a bench body. His confidence, form in Belgium, and his public declaration to fans suggest that he is not just here to fill a gap.
