Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive start to life at Ajax by scoring the decisive goal in Saturday’s 1–0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
The Nigerian striker settled the contest in the ninth minute, meeting Abdellah Ouazane’s cross from the left with a header into the bottom corner. It was an early breakthrough that ultimately proved enough, although Ajax had to withstand considerable pressure to protect their advantage.
The 25-year-old has now scored 10 goals in all competitions for Ajax, reaching the landmark in just 15 appearances. That puts him alongside Steven Bergwijn, who also needed 15 matches to reach double figures after joining the club in 2022.
Across the past decade, Bergwijn is the only other Ajax player to have reached his first 10 goals for the club in as few as 15 appearances.
Even more striking is the consistency behind Arokodare’s achievement. All 10 goals have come in his last 12 appearances, while four of his recent strikes have arrived in his last five league matches.
His latest finish therefore continued a scoring run that is becoming increasingly difficult for Ajax to overlook.
However, the early goal did not make for a comfortable afternoon. Ajax struggled to find a second that would have given them greater breathing space and were forced into a change before the interval when Julian Brandt was replaced by Oscar Gloukh in the 38th minute.
AZ remained within reach and attempted to find a route back into the contest after half-time. Valdemar Byskov had an effort checked for a possible handball, but a review did not result in a penalty.
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Arokodare’s involvement ended in the 74th minute when Steven Berghuis came on, leaving Ajax to negotiate the closing stages without their goalscorer.
The pressure intensified as the match approached its conclusion. AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser denied Gloukh in the 88th minute, while Marc-André ter Stegen was called upon to preserve Ajax’s clean sheet.
Dave Kwakman volleyed over around the beginning of stoppage time before Mexx Meerdink threatened twice. His header did not seriously trouble Ter Stegen, who then produced another save to deny the forward in the fourth minute of added time.
Ajax held on to secure the three points, with Arokodare’s early header separating the sides.
The Nigerian joined Ajax on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer, with the agreement running until the summer of 2027 and including an option to buy.
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Fifteen appearances into his spell, he has already reached a milestone that puts him alongside one of the club’s recent attacking talents. More importantly, his goals are translating into results, with Saturday’s effort providing another example of his growing influence.
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