Arokodare and Weghorst Pray Together After Match

FC Twente forward Wout Weghorst and Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare have shared why they prayed together on the field after Sunday’s 2-2 Eredivisie draw. They say their friendship is strong and is based on their faith, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The two players held hands and prayed after the match at the De Grolsch Veste in Enschede. Both players scored in the exciting game.

“We know each other well and have often had beautiful conversations about faith,” Weghorst told NOS.

Arokodare scored first for Ajax just after kick-off. Rayane Bounida added another goal for Ajax in the second half. Weghorst then scored twice for Twente, including a stoppage-time penalty in the 95th minute. This goal saved a point for Twente.

The 34-year-old Weghorst said their friendship started when Arokodare was at Genk. He approached Weghorst after a friendly match against Burnley to ask for advice.

“He came up to me after the match for tips. Since then, we have always kept in touch and have had many wonderful conversations, also about the Lord,” Weghorst said.

After the match, Weghorst mentioned that he and Arokodare shared a warm hug before they prayed. “We are both believers, and we thanked each other. We gave each other a big hug, and then he said, ‘Shall we pray together for a moment?’ Then we gave thanks together for a moment. It was a beautiful afternoon, a beautiful football afternoon. We both played an important role.”

Arokodare also talked about their interaction. “I’m a Manchester United fan. When he played there, I was very surprised at his work ethic,” he told ESPN Netherlands.

“When we played against Burnley, I was looking for him after the game, and he was in the gym.” The Super Eagles striker said Weghorst gave him advice on how to press better.

“He told me it’s all about having a top mentality to help the team any way I can,” Arokodare said. He also spoke about their shared faith.

“I’m happy to see the impact of God in his life, and I hope God keeps blessing him. I hope he scores more goals, but he should slow down a bit; some of us want to score too.”

The 25-year-old has been in great form, scoring in five straight games. He has 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances this season. This includes seven goals in the Eredivisie and six in the UEFA Conference League. He joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with an option to buy.

Weghorst has scored five goals in his last three games.

Arokodare is part of Éric Chelle’s 24-man Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania in Uyo on November 13 and in Zanzibar on November 17.