Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare is making waves at AFC Ajax. He scored two goals as Ajax defeated FC Sion 5-3 at the Johan Cruijff Arena. This win secured their spot in the UEFA Conference League phase.
Just a few days after scoring and assisting in the first leg in Switzerland, Arokodare showed his talent again. This time, he netted a brace on his first competitive start for Ajax.
The 25-year-old was substituted after 60 minutes, but he made his mark and helped Ajax secure a 9-5 aggregate win.
Arokodare's first-half goal turns the game
Ajax started strong with Youri Baas scoring just one minute into the match. But Sion quickly changed the game.
Winsley Boteli scored twice, putting the Swiss team ahead 2-1 by the 36th minute. Davy Klaassen equalized three minutes later. With the score tied, Arokodare stepped up.
He scored in the 45th minute, connecting with Abdellah Ouazane’s cross. Arokodare fired a powerful shot into the net, making the score 3-2 at half-time.
He wasn’t done yet. Just six minutes into the second half, Arokodare struck again after Ouazane assisted him once more.
The Nigerian striker finished brilliantly into the top corner, extending Ajax’s lead to 4-2.
Oliver Edvardsen added Ajax’s fifth goal in the 55th minute. Boteli completed his hat-trick for Sion in stoppage time.
Despite their efforts, Sion could not find another goal. Ajax held on for a 5-3 win and an impressive 9-5 aggregate triumph.
Arokodare is making a name for himself at Ajax
Arokodare’s performance shows how quickly he has settled in since joining Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He has now scored four goals and made two assists in five matches for Ajax.
His European debut in the first leg against Sion was a sign of what he could do. Coming on in the 72nd minute with the score at 2-2, Arokodare scored his first competitive goal within two minutes and assisted Klaassen for a 4-2 win.
After making a mark from the bench, he finally got his first start and delivered with two goals. Arokodare was substituted after 60 minutes for Marcos Leonardo, but he already made a big impact.
Four goals and two assists in five games. These stats highlight his explosive start at Ajax. He is becoming hard for manager John Heitinga to overlook.
Most importantly, Arokodare is stepping up when Ajax needs him. His goals helped turn a tough European match into a comfortable victory and secured Ajax’s place in the Conference League phase.
Now, with a brace in his first competitive start, Arokodare has given Heitinga a tough choice to make for Ajax’s next match.
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