"I started crying when I hugged Osimhen": Super Eagles star opens up on his 'helper'

• Tolu Arokodare has elaborate however overmuch it means to him aft making his debut for the Nigerian elder nationalist team
• The 24-year-old replaced Osimhen successful the 2nd fractional during the World Cup qualifier against Rwanda successful Kigali
• Arokodare, who made the 23-man last database nether Eric Chelle, says helium cried aft hugging his teammate Victor Osimhen

New Super Eagles invitee Tolu Arokodare has opened up aft making his debut for the Nigerian nationalist shot team.

The Genk of Belgium striker came connected arsenic a second-half substitute successful Nigeria's 2-0 triumph implicit Rwanda astatine the Amahoro Stadium successful Kigali.

The three-time African champions registered their archetypal triumph astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers erstwhile they defeated the Amavubi distant from home.

Tolu Arokodare hails Victor Osimhen arsenic his idol. Photo: KRISTOF VAN ACCOM.
Source: Getty Images

A first-half brace from striker Victor Osimhen ensured that the Super Eagles stay successful contention for the precious ticket.

The Galatasaray of Turkey guardant tucked location the archetypal extremity disconnected a acceptable portion successful the 10th minute.

Osimhen doubled the pb for the visitors erstwhile helium 'stole' the shot from a defender, raced into the country and past looped the shot implicit the goalkeeper.

He was replaced by Arokodare successful the 77th infinitesimal arsenic the first-timer shared a lukewarm clasp connected the touchline.

An affectional Arokodare disclosed that it was a peculiar infinitesimal arsenic helium hugged his idol, who is present his teammate.

The 24-year-old said arsenic per OJB Sports:

“What a batch of radical don’t cognize is I started crying erstwhile I hugged [Victor] Osimhen due to the fact that I hugged him and said ‘thank you,’“I said successful an interrogation he’s played a immense relation successful my vocation and life.”

The in-form Genk striker has shared his delight astatine earning a maiden call-up to the Super Eagles, a reward for his standout performances implicit the past 2 years that person yet fixed him his long-awaited breakthrough, Thisday reports.

He has truthful acold enjoyed a sensational play with Genk, racking up 19 goals and six assists successful 35 appearances crossed each competitions, placing him 3rd among Nigeria’s top-scoring strikers successful Europe, trailing lone Cyriel Dessers (22) and Victor Osimhen (26).

Victor Osimhen was the leader successful Nigeria's triumph implicit Rwanda. Photo: Visionhaus.
Source: Getty Images

Race for World Cup summons intensifies

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles instrumentality connected the Warriors of Zimbabwe connected Match Day 6 of the World Cup qualifiers.

Both teams person arrived successful Uyo arsenic they are billed to look disconnected astatine the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium connected Tuesday, March 25.

Benin play big to South Africa successful Abidjan, portion Rwanda invited Lesotho to the Amahoro Stadium. All matches successful the radical are scheduled to beryllium played simultaneously.

Hugo Broos tips South Africa for World Cup ticket

Legit.ng earlier reported that South Africa caput manager Hugo Broos has explained that helium believes his boys volition get assistance for Nigeria and past suffice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Following their 2-0 triumph implicit Lesotho connected Friday, Bafana Bafana instrumentality themselves apical of the CAF qualification Group C with 10 points.

Benin Republic are 2nd with 8 points arsenic the Cheetahs dropped points erstwhile they played a 2-2 gully with Zimbabwe.

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Source: Legit.ng