Tolu Arokodare's Impactful Performance for Ajax

Tolu Arokodare needed just a few minutes to turn a good Ajax night into a statement one.

Thrown on in the 72nd minute of the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff against Sion, the Nigeria international replaced Marcos Leonardo with the Dutch side already in control but not yet out of sight in a 4-2 contest that still felt open.

Two minutes later, he slammed the door.

Arokodare struck Ajax’s third goal almost immediately after coming on, giving the visitors crucial breathing space in a keenly contested tie. His impact didn’t stop there. With three minutes left on the clock, he slipped in Davy Klaassen to finish off a fourth, capping a devastating late cameo of a goal and an assist.

On a night full of attacking intent, it was the substitute who stole the spotlight.

Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez didn’t hold back in his praise after the final whistle.

“Tolu brought a lot of energy when he came on. He works hard, he scores and he helps us,” Sánchez told Ajax Life, as quoted by Goal. “He has a good character. I think he is a nice boy. I hope he keeps helping us in this way.”

Energy. End product. Attitude. In a few blistering minutes, Arokodare offered all three — and gave his coach another compelling option as Ajax push on in Europe.