Tolu Arokodare: Excelsior coach exposes why Nigerian star is a various gamer at Ajax

Ajax gamer Toluwalase Arokodare. Copyright: Imago

Super Eagles forward Tolu Arokodare continued his remarkable start to life at Ajax with another objective in their 2-2 draw versus Excelsior on Saturday night, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigerian forward has actually delighted in an excellent start to the 2026/27 season and took his tally to 6 objectives and 2 helps from 9 looks throughout all competitors, providing him nearly an objective contribution in every video game he has actually bet the club.

The 25-year-old signed up with Ajax from English side Wolves throughout the summertime on a season-long loan offer after having a hard time to make a huge effect at the West Midlands club. Arokodare is slowly returning to the kind he revealed throughout his time at Genk.

Ajax took the lead simply after the half-hour mark on Saturday through another summer season finalizing, Julian Brandt, however Excelsior stunned the hosts by scoring two times to turn the video game around.

Lennard Hartjes equalised in first-half blockage time before Aymen Sliti finished the return in the 62nd minute.

Arokodare, who had actually been presented in the 2nd half after missing out on Ajax’s previous video game through health problem, scored simply 2 minutes later on to level the rating and ultimately make his side a point.

FIFA Excelsior coach determines Tolu Arokodare as Ajax’s strong weapon

Responding to the outcome which would have seen his side claim a win and move more detailed to the leading 4, Excelsior head coach Ruben den Uil thinks the intro of Tolu Arokodare was a significant distinction in the clash.

According to the Dutch coach, the Nigerian forward brought a various measurement to the video game when he began, with his strength and physicality making him a various type of gamer for Ajax.

“The distinction in strength today was, obviously, significant. If you likewise see what type of gamers Ajax has, then it should likewise be a bit simple. We combated like lions”, Uil stated post-match

“When you see this Ajax … Tolu, that’s nearly scams for the competitors. He is so strong therefore long … a cheat code. That is not typical. Even if you get a 10 in the deck for the objective, then this male will still come above you.

“They have a couple of exceptionally great gamers. For the Eredivisie, that is extraordinary. It’s actually a really good-looking accomplishment of ours and after that you likewise require the luck that a ball does not enter”, he concluded.

Arokodare likewise opened up about his health problem and healing, confessing that he had a hard time at some points after coming off the bench versus Excelsior.

The Nigerian had actually missed out on Ajax’s midweek 5-1 win over Willem II due to disease and was just in shape sufficient to begin Saturday’s video game on the bench. His intro showed essential as he scored to save a point for Ajax.

“You might currently see it when I dropped in. After 5 or 6 minutes I was currently bent over due to the fact that I was tired. I likewise required this video game to understand that I’m not one hundred per cent. I still feel weak. I have not recuperated in addition to I believed”, Tolu Arokodare exposed.

“I do not believe I might have begun. I wished to, however I do not believe I might have done that. Before the video game, my legs currently felt weak. We had another tactical training in the early morning, then my legs currently felt weak. And throughout the video game I was currently totally broken after 5 to 10 minutes.”

FIFA Arokodare all set for Super Eagles’ AFCON 2027 qualifiers

The 25-year-old has actually been picked by head coach Eric Chelle for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers later on this month. It will be his very first Super Eagles call-up given that Nigeria’s CAF playoff last defeat to DR Congo, which saw them lose out on certification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Now back in type and having fun with self-confidence, Arokodare will want to continue his goalscoring run if he is provided the chance in Nigeria’s video games versus Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

“I hope I can assist my nation”, he included.

Arokodare’s objective assisted Ajax stay in the leading 4 in the meantime, although the space to the top of the standings might increase when the staying Matchday 7 video games are concluded.