Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare scores on Ajax debut, helps 3-1 win vs Volendam
Tolu Arokodare marked his Ajax debut with a goal, coming off the bench in the 71st minute to finish off a defensive error and seal a 3-1 pre-season win over FC Volendam at the Kras Stadion. The Nigerian striker, who joined the Dutch giants on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers with an option to buy, had previously struggled in England after a £24 million move from Genk in September 2025, scoring just three Premier League goals before Wolves’ relegation. His Ajax strike suggests the club’s faith in his ability to rediscover the form that saw him net 31 goals in 79 Belgian league games. For Nigerian fans, Arokodare’s early impact renews hope that he can revive his international career and add firepower to the Super Eagles ahead of upcoming qualifiers. It also highlights the growing trend of Nigerian talents using European loans to revive their careers after difficult spells. Ajax, aiming to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in the Eredivisie last season, will also compete in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, with Arokodare expected to play a key role in their push back to the top of Dutch and European football. The striker denied earlier claims from Wolves that he disrupted training, insisting his professionalism has never been in doubt. Will Arokodare’s early form earn him a regular starting spot at Ajax and force his way back into the Super Eagles squad?