Nigeria’s striker Tolu Arokodare has promised to make life difficult for Bafana Bafana’s 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.
Arokodare, who netted the winning goal against Rwanda last weekend, spoke ahead of the match, stating, “I have to do my job, my job it’s giving him a tough time and I just think every other defender and goalkeeper and the South African team in general, cause we’re playing against them tomorrow.”
He added, “So it’s my job to give every team, every defender tough love that I play, but I also wish him the best. I hope he has a good game, I hope I have a better game, I have to put myself first.”
Mbokazi, who impressed by keeping a clean sheet against Lesotho, is expected to start again, facing what will likely be his biggest challenge yet. The encounter holds major implications for both sides’ ambitions to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
