Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive start to life at Ajax, scoring just two minutes after coming off the bench as the Dutch giants were held to a 2-2 draw by Excelsior at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Saturday, Trybal News reports.
The Nigerian striker was introduced in the 62nd minute for Kasper Dolberg, with Ajax trailing 2-1 after Aymen Sliti had put the visitors ahead.
Arokodare needed only two minutes to make an impact.
The 24-year-old combined with Oscar Gloukh, who provided the assist, before Arokodare finished to restore parity in the 64th minute.
Ajax had taken the lead through Julian Brandt in the 32nd minute, but Lennard Hartjes equalised for Excelsior in first-half stoppage time before Sliti completed the visitors comeback early in the second half.
Despite having only 20 touches after coming on, Arokodare made his presence count. He completed eight of nine passes, won five of six aerial duels and registered nine shots as he repeatedly threatened the Excelsior defence.
The goal takes Arokodare’s tally to six goals in nine appearances for Ajax since joining the club on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July. He has also provided two assists during that period.
His goals have come across both domestic and European competition, including a brace against FC Sion in the UEFA Conference League and league strikes against PSV Eindhoven and Telstar.
Arokodare’s latest contribution comes at an important time, with the forward recently recalled to the Nigeria squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
After being left out during the previous two international breaks, the Ajax striker will now head into the international window with six goals already to his name this season and growing momentum at club level.
While Ajax were forced to settle for a point at home, Arokodare once again demonstrated his ability to influence a game immediately after being introduced.
