Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score and provide an assist as Ajax secured a 4-2 victory over FC Sion in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off tie in Switzerland on Thursday.
Arokodare made a decisive impact after being introduced as a substitute, helping Ajax recover from two setbacks and establish a commanding advantage ahead of next week’s return fixture in Amsterdam.
Ajax went into the break trailing 1-0 after Franck Surdez gave Sion the lead. The Dutch giants responded strongly after the interval, with Julian Brandt equalising before Marcos Leonardo put them 2-1 ahead.
Sion restored parity through Ilyas Chouaref from the penalty spot, but Ajax quickly regained the lead.
Arokodare, who had come off the bench, struck in the 74th minute to put Ajax back in front at 3-2.
The Nigeria international then turned provider late in the game, setting up Davy Klaassen, who finished to give Ajax a two-goal cushion and complete the 4-2 victory.
The result leaves Ajax in a strong position heading into the second leg at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday, August 27. The winner of the two-legged tie will secure a place in the Conference League league phase.
For Arokodare, the performance represents an important contribution in his European campaign. UEFA’s official statistics credit the Nigerian forward with one goal and one assist in the Conference League this season.
With Ajax holding a two-goal advantage, Arokodare and his teammates will now look to complete the job in Amsterdam and secure their place in the competition’s league phase.