Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive start to life at Ajax with another goal, but the Nigerian striker’s latest effort could not prevent his side from suffering a 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in a thrilling Eredivisie encounter at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Saturday.
Arokodare found the net for the fourth consecutive match for Ajax, taking his tally to five goals since joining the Dutch giants on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite his growing influence in attack, Ajax were ultimately outplayed by the reigning Eredivisie champions, who secured an important away victory.
The result was particularly painful for Ajax because they had shown enough attacking threat to believe they could get something from the contest. They finished the match with 19 attempts, compared with PSV’s 13, but struggled to turn their opportunities into goals.
PSV wasted little time making their presence felt.
The visitors opened the scoring inside the first five minutes after Ivan Perisic delivered a dangerous deep cross into the Ajax area. Ruben van Bommel got a touch to the delivery, sending it across the danger zone, where Ricardo Pepi reacted quickest to head PSV into an early lead.
It was another fast start for PSV, who had already developed a habit of scoring early in their Eredivisie meetings.
Ajax, however, refused to panic.
Arokodare soon stepped forward to provide the response the home supporters were desperately waiting for.
In the 23rd minute, the Nigerian striker produced another moment of quality to bring Ajax level. He finished with a low effort that found the far corner, giving the home side renewed belief and extending his remarkable scoring streak to four consecutive matches for Ajax.
The goal once again highlighted why Arokodare has quickly become one of the most talked-about Nigerian forwards playing in Europe.
The 25-year-old has brought physical strength, movement and a growing confidence in front of goal to Ajax’s attack. After arriving from Wolves on a season-long loan, he has wasted little time making an impression.
His latest strike was his fifth goal of the season, and it has come at a crucial time for the striker, who is attempting to force his way back into the Super Eagles setup.
But just when Ajax appeared to have recovered control of the contest, PSV delivered another blow.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Lutsharel Geertruida restored PSV’s advantage with a powerful volley from a corner. The goal came with virtually the final action of the opening period, leaving Ajax heading into the interval trailing 2-1.
Ajax returned after the break determined to find another equaliser, but PSV defended their advantage effectively.
The hosts continued to create opportunities and goalkeeper Matej Kovar was forced into five saves, yet Ajax could not find the decisive finish they needed.
As the clock moved towards full time, the home supporters still hoped that another Arokodare moment might rescue their team.
Instead, PSV delivered the final blow.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Esmir Bajraktarevic collected the opportunity and fired a low finish into the far corner to make it 3-1, effectively ending Ajax’s hopes of salvaging a point.
The victory sent PSV to the top of the Eredivisie standings after five matches, while Ajax were left to reflect on another frustrating result at home. The Amsterdam club have now gone five Eredivisie home matches without a victory and sit six points behind PSV, although Ajax have a game in hand.
For Arokodare, however, the night offered another reason for optimism.
His goal means he has now scored in four straight matches for Ajax, continuing a remarkable run that has also included goals in European competition. His form has arrived at an important moment for Nigeria, particularly with Victor Osimhen currently recovering from injury.
Arokodare’s last appearance for the Super Eagles came in November 2025 during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup play-off against DR Congo. He was subsequently left out of Nigeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
His current form, however, is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
With Nigeria preparing for important 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, Arokodare’s continued goals could give coach Eric Chelle another attacking option to consider.
Ajax may have suffered a disappointing defeat against their biggest domestic rivals, but Arokodare’s personal momentum continues to build.
For the Nigerian striker, the message is becoming clearer with every goal: if he keeps scoring, the Super Eagles door may soon become impossible to keep closed.
