Tolu Arokodare: What impressed Super Eagles star after brace against Sion

Super Eagles and Ajax Amsterdam forward Tolu Arokodare has revealed what impressed him most in Ajax’s 5-3 win over Sion in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers on Thursday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers forward scored twice as the Dutch side secured a 9-5 aggregate victory, having won the first leg 4-2, to advance to the league phase of the competition.

Arokodare had also scored in the first leg and was handed a starting berth for the return fixture, marking his first start for Ajax since joining the club on loan from Wolves earlier this summer.

Youri Baas opened the scoring for Ajax in the first minute, but Sion responded through Winsley Boteli Mokango in the 18th minute. The Sion attacker then put his side ahead minutes later before Davy Klaassen and Arokodare turned the game around for Ajax before half-time, giving the home side a 3-2 lead at the break.

Tolu Arokodare completed his brace a few minutes into the second half before Oliver Valaker Edvardsen added a fifth for Ajax.

Mokango completed his hat-trick on the stroke of full-time, but Ajax held on for a 5-3 victory and a 9-5 aggregate win.

How Tolu Arokodare reacted to Ajax’s Europa League win over Sion

The Super Eagles forward has now scored three goals and provided two assists in five games since arriving at Ajax as he continues to make a strong impression at the Dutch club this summer.

Speaking after the match, Arokodare explained that his starting role was simply down to the coach’s decision. The Nigerian striker also admitted that while he was pleased with his two goals, Ajax’s qualification was what mattered most to him.

“The reason I started? The coach,” Arokodare said post-match.

“I don’t know why I was preferred this time. The coach decides. It was my turn, I think. Maybe next time Kasper or Leonardo will play.

“I try to help the team every week in every possible way, whether I start, substitute or don’t play. I am, of course, happy with my goals, but especially with the qualification for the competition phase of the Conference League.

“By the way, I’m also happy for Sion’s attacker, a young boy who made a hat-trick. Compliments to him too.”

Tolu Arokodare also joked about the quality of his first goal, admitting that there was an element of luck involved after his initial touch.

“Yes, we train on that. That was planned. Quality, pure quality. No, sometimes you need some luck. I’m glad I got a second chance after that first ball contact.”

The Super Eagles forward was also impressed by the way Ajax played as a team, especially during their attacking spells.

“There we really showed our qualities as a team. That was really Ajax football.

“We scored again in such a way later, but then the second goal of Ollie (Edvardsen) was rejected for offside”, the Nigerian forward concluded.

Arokodare will now be hoping to build on his impressive start to life at Ajax when they face Telstar in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

The Super Eagles striker will be looking for another inspiring performance as he continues his push for more playing time and aims to open his account in the Dutch league.