Tolu Arokodare: Nollywood actress blasts Eric Chelle after South Africa draw

Nollywood actress and model Jemima Osunde did not mince words with her post-match reaction to Nigeria’s disappointing 1-1 draw with South Africa in their World Cup qualifier on September 9, in Bloemfontein.

Osunde, a vocal supporter of Wolves’ new striker echoed the sentiment of thousands of Nigerians on Tuesday.

Moments after the fixture ended, Osunde, who is the cousin to Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare took to X to vent her frustration. 

The All Of Us actress simply wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Wish Tolu and Chukwueze started.” 

It was a pointed rebuke of coach Éric Chelle’s decision to omit Arokodare from the starting XI, favouring Cyriel Dessers instead, a surprise twist given Arokodare’s match-winning heroics against Rwanda just days before.

The coach’s gamble did not pay off. 

An unfortunate own goal from captain William Troost-Ekong gave Bafana Bafana an early lead in the 25th minute. 

Despite the horrible pitch of the Toyota Stadium, Nigeria roared back briefly, with Calvin Bassey equalising just before half-time. 

Though Chelle introduced Arokodare and Bruno Onyemaechi during the break and the team improved, they failed to convert the momentum into a winner, leaving Nigerian qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

With the draw, the Super Eagles now find themselves mathematically eliminated from the race to reach the 2026 World Cup unless unlikely scenarios unfold.

Éric Chelle had hoped to leverage his experience in rebuilding the team’s campaign.