Tolu Arokodare is beginning to find his feet in England, and his latest goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers could not have come at a better time, Footynaija.com reports.
The tall Nigerian striker was on target in Wednesday night’s 3-4 defeat to Chelsea in the EFL Cup, a contest that ended in heartbreak for Wolves but offered encouragement for Arokodare’s growing form.
The 24-year-old got on the scoresheet early in the second half at Molineux, finishing confidently to spark a comeback that briefly gave Wolves hope. His goal reduced the deficit to 3-1 before David Møller Wolfe’s brace made it a real contest, even though Chelsea eventually edged through.
Related Post
It was Arokodare’s second goal for Wolves in the same competition, having opened his account against Everton in the previous round.
Since joining Wolves from K.R.C. Genk on deadline day for around £23.4 million, Arokodare’s start has been steady rather than spectacular. He has featured in six Premier League matches so far without scoring, totalling 182 minutes of action.
Yet his performances in the EFL Cup have shown flashes of the player who scored 21 league goals in Belgium last season and caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
At 1.97 metres, Arokodare’s physical presence and aerial ability are qualities that manager Vítor Pereira seems to value. The Wolves boss has rotated his attacking options this season, gradually easing the Nigerian into English football, and Arokodare’s latest goal suggests the adaptation process is beginning to yield results.
For Nigeria, the timing could hardly be better. The Super Eagles are just days away from facing Gabon in their high-stakes World Cup playoff in Rabat on 13 November. The one-leg tie will decide who advances to the playoff final, and head coach Eric Chelle will be hoping his forwards carry club form into national duty.
