Arokodare admits ‘not 100% fit’ for AFCON qualifying games
Ajax of Amsterdam striker Tolu Arokodare has admitted that he is not 100% fit ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifying games against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Recall that Arokodare was left out of Ajax’s starting XI for last Tuesday’s Eredivisie meeting with Willem II because he had a fever which forced head coach Michel Sanchez to suggest that the player will be out of action for the unforeseeable future.
However, Arokodare returned to the fray from the bench over the weekend scoring an equaliser in the 66th minute of the second half as Ajax forced Excelsior Mouscron to a 2-2 draw at the magnificent Johan Cruyff Arena.
While reacting to questions about his fitness ahead of the AFCON qualifiers, Arokodare said that he is still not 100% fit as he has not recovered as much as he thought.
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“You could see after five or six minutes that I was hunched over because I was tired. I needed this match to realize that I am not yet 100 percent fit. I still feel weak,” he said as per AjaxLife.
“I haven’t recovered as much as I thought. I wanted to start, but I don’t think I could have. We had a tactical training session in the morning and my legs were weak. I was dead after five or six minutes into the match.” He added.
Arokodare’s situation makes it even more of a dicey situation for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle as Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been officially ruled out of the AFCON qualifying games due to a muscle strain.
Chelle will now rely on other striking options including; Kelechi Iheanacho, George Ilekilena and Taiwo Awoniyi against Madagascar on 25 September at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo and Guinea-Bissau at the de Setembro National Stadium, in Bissau on September 29.
