Nigeria beat Tanzania in an AFCON qualifying fixture, and while the result matters, what happened on the pitch gave fans plenty to chew on. Victor Osimhen was absent through injury, and the Super Eagles had to show they could manage without their biggest name. By most accounts, they did.
The man who stepped into the spotlight was Arokodare, whose performance was bright enough to keep the conversation going long after the final whistle. His growing influence on this squad is becoming harder to ignore, and this was another reminder that Nigeria's attack does not begin and end with Osimhen.
There were concerns too. Ademola Lookman picked up an injury during the match, which will have supporters anxious heading into the next camp. On the brighter side, young defender Abdullahi Bewene caught the eye with an impressive showing, the kind of performance that makes you wonder how soon he becomes a regular fixture in the starting eleven.
Originally published by Premium Times.