Tolu Arokodare has been crowned Carloha/Chery Man of the Match after firing Nigeria past Rwanda.
The €27m Wolves striker’s decisive goal boosted the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has been named Carloha/Chery Man of the Match after his decisive performance in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying clash on September 6, 2025.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, who joined the Premier League side from Belgian club KRC Genk this summer in a €27 million move, came off the bench to deliver the winning moment at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
His powerful right-footed strike in the 51st minute broke Rwanda’s resistance, secured three crucial points for Nigeria, and reignited hopes of qualifying for the tournament in North America. Replacing midfielder Frank Onyeka at half-time, Arokodare’s energy and physical presence revitalized Nigeria’s attack.
His goal not only sealed the result but also earned him a ₦1 million prize as recognition for his impact. Fans and pundits praised his display, describing him as the much-needed spark for a team struggling to find consistency in front of goal.
The Super Eagles entered the match under pressure, having endured a poor start to the campaign that left their qualification prospects uncertain. With three rounds of fixtures remaining, the win over Rwanda has provided renewed confidence ahead of a pivotal away clash against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on September 9.
Nigeria’s qualification journey has been far from smooth. The team, historically one of Africa’s football powerhouses, has faced criticism for tactical inconsistency, missed scoring opportunities, and disappointing results in earlier qualifiers. The struggles have placed added scrutiny on both the players and head coach Eric Chelle, who has been tasked with steadying the campaign.
Before the Rwanda match, fans and analysts had called for the introduction of in-form players to inject new life into the squad.
Arokodare’s goal has answered some of those calls, giving supporters hope that fresh talent can carry the Super Eagles over the finish line. Nigeria currently sits third in Group C and must keep winning to secure automatic qualification.
Only the winners of each group are guaranteed tickets to the World Cup, while the best runners-up enter the play-offs. With South Africa topping the group, the upcoming clash in Bloemfontein is being billed as decisive for the Super Eagles’ campaign.
For Arokodare, his Man of the Match performance could signal the start of a larger role in Nigeria’s attack, especially with injury doubts surrounding star striker Victor Osimhen.
As the qualification race heats up, his emergence may prove vital to Nigeria’s hopes of returning to the global stage in 2026.
