Tolu Arokodare: Ajax legend backs Nigerian striker after Sion cameo – “He should start”

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has given Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez plenty to think about after a decisive cameo in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League play-off first leg against FC Sion, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian striker came off the bench in the 72nd minute and needed little time to make his presence felt, scoring and assisting as Ajax secured a 4-2 victory in Switzerland.

Arokodare replaced Marcos Leonardo with the score level at 2-2 before making the difference in the final third two minutes later. He headed Ajax back in front after meeting a deflected cross from fellow substitute Abdellah Ouazane.

🚨🇳🇬 Tolu Arokodare is always dangerous in the box! Feed him and he’ll score, simple.

What a baller 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3MO6bmWyQw

— GNB OFFICIAL (@GHNaijaBallers) August 20, 2026

The 25-year-old then turned provider late on, threading a pass through to Davy Klaassen, who calmly lifted his finish over the goalkeeper to complete Ajax's four-goal haul.

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It was the kind of performance that could change the conversation around Arokodare's role at Ajax, particularly after he has started the season largely as an option from the bench, and a former Ajax star believes the Nigerian has already done enough to warrant a place in Sánchez's starting XI.

Ex-Ajax star wants more minutes for Tolu Arokodare

Former Ajax and Barcelona midfielder Richard Witschge was particularly impressed by Arokodare's impact against Sion, praising the striker's ability to attack the ball and find dangerous positions in the opponent's box.

“There is a beast up front. It is incredible how that ball reaches him; it is not easy to head it like that.

“He gets in well, is sharp, and then heads it in nicely,” the 56-year-old said in quotes revealed by Ajax Show Time.

The former Netherlands international then went a step further, suggesting Arokodare should now be allowed to lead Ajax's attack from the start.

“He deserves a starting spot, I think. I don't know how fit he is, but if he steps up, I'm afraid he'll just score 25 in the Eredivisie.”

That opinion is significant, given the competition for the centre-forward position. Arokodare arrived at Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the Dutch giants holding an option to make the move permanent.

However, coach Miguel still has Marcos Leonardo and Kasper Dolberg on his cards, meaning the former Genk striker has to make the most of any chance he gets.

His move to Amsterdam is an opportunity to reset after a difficult period at Wolves, where he struggled to establish himself in the Premier League, and the Old Gold were eventually relegated to the EFL Championship.

Ajax, meanwhile, will hope the Nigerian can turn his physical presence and goalscoring instincts into a sustained threat in the Eredivisie.

For now, though, Arokodare has given Sánchez a compelling reason to consider changing his attacking plans, but the lanky striker will now have to build on the performance to break into Ajax's starting XI.