Tolu Arokodare continued his strong start to life at Ajax by scoring in their 2-2 draw with Excelsior on Saturday night.
The Nigeria forward came off the bench in the second half and found the net just two minutes after Aymen Sliti had put Excelsior ahead, helping Ajax avoid defeat at home.
Arokodare’s latest goal takes his tally to six goals and two assists in nine appearances for Ajax in all competitions this season. The 25-year-old has therefore been involved in almost a goal per appearance since joining the Dutch club.
He arrived at Ajax from English side Wolves during the summer on a season-long loan after finding it difficult to establish himself at the West Midlands club. His performances in the Netherlands have so far marked a return to the form he displayed during his time at Genk.
Ajax had appeared to be on course for a positive result after taking the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.
Summer signing Julian Brandt put the hosts ahead, but Excelsior responded strongly before half-time. Lennard Hartjes levelled the score in first-half stoppage time, leaving the two sides level at the break.
Excelsior then completed their turnaround 17 minutes into the second half when Sliti scored to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.
Ajax responded almost immediately, with Arokodare restoring parity two minutes later.
The forward had been brought on during the second half after missing Ajax’s previous match because of illness. His return made an immediate impact as he helped his side secure a point from a match that Excelsior had hoped to win.
Excelsior manager Ruben den Uil highlighted Arokodare’s physical presence after the match, saying the forward’s introduction changed the nature of the contest.
The Excelsior coach said Arokodare gave Ajax a different option because of his strength and physicality.
“The difference in strength today was, of course, considerable. If you also see what kind of players Ajax has, then it must also be a bit easy. We fought like lions”, Uil said post-match.
Den Uil went on to single out the Nigerian forward while describing the challenge posed by Ajax’s squad.
“When you see this Ajax… Tolu, that’s almost fraud for the competition. He is so strong and so long… a cheat code. That is not normal. Even if you get a ten in the deck for the goal, then this man will still come above you.
“They have a few incredibly good players. Also for the Eredivisie, that is unprecedented. It’s really a very handsome achievement of ours and then you also need the luck that a ball doesn’t go in”, he concluded
For Arokodare, the goal represents another step in what has been a productive beginning to his temporary spell at Ajax.
His six goals and two assists from nine appearances underline the influence he has had since arriving from Wolves, while his latest contribution came at an important moment for his team.
Ajax had trailed 2-1 after Excelsior overturned Brandt’s opening goal, but Arokodare’s quick response ensured the visitors could not complete their comeback with a winning goal.
The result also meant Excelsior missed the opportunity they had been targeting of taking three points and moving closer to the top four.
Arokodare, meanwhile, continues to build momentum at Ajax after a difficult spell at Wolves, with his latest appearance providing another example of his ability to make an immediate attacking impact.
