Tolu Arokodare scored twice as Ajax Amsterdam beat FC Sion 5-3 on Thursday night, sealing a 9-5 aggregate win that sends the Dutch giants into the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. The Nigeria international, handed his first start for the club, marked the occasion with a goal in each half at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Ajax had already built a strong cushion from the first leg in Switzerland, where Arokodare came off the bench to score and assist in a 4-2 win. They extended that advantage further in Amsterdam when Youri Baas struck within seconds of kick-off.
Sion refused to fold, with Winsley Boteli dragging them back into the tie with two quick goals either side of the 20-minute mark. Davy Klaassen restored parity for Ajax soon after.
Arokodare then struck right on the stroke of half-time. His first effort was saved, but he made no mistake with the rebound, hammering it high into the roof of the net to send Ajax in 3-2 up.
He almost doubled his tally moments into the second half, only to see a curled effort come back off the post following a slick exchange between Julian Brandt and Klaassen. He did not have to wait long, though, latching onto a low cross from teenage winger Abdellah Ouazane to complete his brace.
Oliver Edvardsen added a fifth for Ajax, while Boteli completed his own hat-trick in a losing effort as the hosts ran out 5-3 winners on the night.
The result takes Arokodare’s tally to three goals and two assists in just four appearances since joining Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Manager Míchel Sánchez handed him the nod ahead of Marcos Leonardo and Kasper Dolberg, and the striker responded in style.
With Ajax through to the league phase, the 24-year-old will hope his early form is enough to convince the club to make his move permanent.
