…Arokodare has scored four times in his last five league games
Tolu Arokodare scored the winner as Ajax defeated AZ Alkmaar 1–0 at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday, taking his tally for the Dutch club to 10 goals in all competitions.
The Nigerian striker struck in the ninth minute, meeting Abdellah Ouazane’s cross from the left with a header into the bottom corner. His early finish proved decisive as Ajax protected their advantage through a tense conclusion.
Arokodare reached double figures in his 15th Ajax appearance, matching a mark achieved by Steven Bergwijn in 2022. Across the past decade, Bergwijn is the only other Ajax player to have needed as few as 15 matches to score his first 10 goals for the club.
The milestone also underlined Arokodare’s recent consistency: all 10 goals have come in his last 12 appearances.
More Read
Ajax established their lead early but could not find a second goal to give themselves breathing space. They also had to make an enforced change before half-time, with Julian Brandt replaced by Oscar Gloukh in the 38th minute.
AZ remained within touching distance and threatened after the interval. Valdemar Byskov had an effort checked for a possible handball, but the review produced no penalty.
Arokodare’s evening ended in the 74th minute when Steven Berghuis came on, leaving his teammates to see out the closing stages.
Both goalkeepers subsequently had work to do. AZ’s Jari De Busser stopped Gloukh in the 88th minute, while Marc-André ter Stegen helped preserve Ajax’s clean sheet as the visitors pressed for an equaliser.
Dave Kwakman volleyed over around the start of stoppage time, before Mexx Meerdink had two late opportunities. His header failed to trouble Ter Stegen seriously, and the goalkeeper denied him again in the fourth added minute to secure the victory.
For Arokodare, the final whistle confirmed that his milestone goal had delivered all three points.
The 25-year-old joined Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer, with the agreement running until summer 2027 and including an option to buy. Fifteen appearances into his Ajax career, he has already reached double figures, and his latest finish settled another league contest.
© Bold Sports Media. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
