- Ajax Amsterdam striker Tolu Arokodare picked Victor Osimhen as the best player he has shared a pitch with during a Q&A session with ESPN Netherlands
- Arokodare and Osimhen have played together twice for the Super Eagles in World Cup qualifying matches against Zimbabwe and Lesotho
- The 25-year-old also singled out Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as the best opponent he has faced in his career
Ajax Amsterdam forward Tolu Arokodare has named Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen as the finest player he has had the privilege of sharing a pitch with, putting the Galatasaray star above all others in his career to date.
Arokodare made the admission during a question and answer session, where he was quizzed on various highlights of his playing career, including the best players and performances he has witnessed at close range.
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When the host asked him to name the best player he had ever played alongside, Arokodare did not pause to consider his options.
“Victor Osimhen,” the 25-year-old said without hesitation in an interview with ESPN Netherlands.
The two Nigerian forwards have shared the pitch on two occasions for the Super Eagles, both in World Cup qualifying fixtures against Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
Despite limited time together on the international stage, the impression Osimhen left on his compatriot was clearly lasting.
Arokodare went a step further when asked about the single best performance he had watched live, choosing to spotlight an individual display rather than an entire match.
“I wouldn’t say the best match, but I would say the best performance. Victor Osimhen scoring a hat-trick against Benin in the World Cup qualifiers when Nigeria needed to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.
Bruno Fernandes named as toughest opponent
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Arokodare singled out Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes as the most formidable opponent he has faced, a verdict shaped by a Premier League encounter in December 2025 when Arokodare was on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He spoke warmly about the Portuguese midfielder, citing qualities that go beyond technical skill.
“I’ll probably say Bruno Fernandes. He is exceptional: his mentality, his leadership, his technique, his quality and his personality off the pitch. He’s an amazing person,” Arokodare said.
The Nigerian striker had a productive stint in Belgium before his move to Amsterdam, finishing as the Belgian Pro League’s top scorer in the 2024/2025 season with 21 goals for Racing Genk.
The Nigerian forward has since carried that form into his new surroundings, registering three goal involvements across four appearances for Ajax, per Transfermarkt.
Osimhen, meanwhile, has continued to build his reputation as one of Africa’s most feared forwards since his move to Galatasaray, where he has remained a consistent goal threat at club level while continuing to lead the line for Nigeria in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Osimhen nets brace for Galatasaray
In another development, Legit.ng reported about Osimhen’s stellar performance for Galatasaray in their recent 4-0 victory over Erzurumspor.
As the Nigerian international showcased his skills with two goals and an assist, he continues to assert himself as a key player in the early Golden Boot race this season.
Source: Legit.ng