Match North Logo

Tolu Arokodare Shines in Ajax's Victory

Tolu Arokodare came off the bench and tore into the game like a man with a point to prove.

Thrown on in the 72nd minute for Marcos Leonardo, the Nigeria international needed just two minutes to leave his mark in Ajax’s 4-2 win over Sion in their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff tie. One sharp run, one clean finish, and Ajax had their third goal of a tense contest.

He wasn’t done.

With the Swiss side still chasing a way back, Arokodare turned provider late on, squaring for Davy Klaassen to sweep home Ajax’s fourth three minutes from time and finally kill the contest.

On a night full of attacking flair, his short cameo crackled with energy and intent, and Míchel Sánchez did not hold back in his praise.

“Tolu brought a lot of energy when he came on. He works hard, he scores and he helps us,” the Ajax manager told Ajax Life, as quoted by Goal. “He has a good character. I think he is a nice boy. I hope he keeps helping us in this way.”

One substitute appearance. One goal. One assist. And a manager who now knows he has a game-changer waiting on the bench.