'I have to give him a tough time!' Nigeria hero and new Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare ready to torment Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates' teenage defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi in World Cup qualifier

Nigeria international Tolu Arokodare is relishing his battle against South Africa's teenage sensation, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, in Tuesday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein.

Mbokazi produced a solid display to help Bafana keep a clean sheet in their win over Lesotho on Friday, while Arokodare netted the winning goal as the Super Eagles edged out Rwanda on Saturday.

"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," Arokodare told Goal Mzansi. 

"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."

At the age of 19, Mbokazi has become a key player for Pirates and the stocky defender has been captaining the African giants in the absence of club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi.

The hard-tackling youngster, who was named 2024/25 Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player, is now looking to make a name for himself at an international level under Bafana coach Hugo Broos.

Mbokazi will be up against a tough customer in Arokodare, whose exploits in the Belgian Pro League earned him a move to Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers from Genk on September 1.

The towering marksman was the winner of the 2025 Ebony Shoe, awarded to the best African player in Belgium and he has scored in each of his last two games for Nigeria, which were against Rwanda and Russia.

All eyes will be on Bafana and the Super Eagles when the two continental giants collide at the 2010 FIFA World Cup venue, Toyota Stadium.

Kick-off is at 18h00 local time and 17h00 Nigerian time.