Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare delivered two goals and an assist as Ajax swept aside Midtjylland 6-1 on the road in the UEFA Conference League, while other Super Eagles players experienced mixed fortunes across Europe.
Key takeaways
- Arokodare struck twice for Ajax and created Owen Wijndal’s goal in the emphatic win in Denmark.
- Midtjylland finished with 10 players after Kjell Wätjen collected two yellow cards before half-time.
- Yusuf Bamidele was shown a red card during Ferencvaros’ 2-0 Europa League victory over AC Milan.
- Olympiacos remained unbeaten after Bruno Onyemaechi featured in a scoreless draw at Rennes.
- Trabzonspor’s flawless Conference League start ended with a 1-0 home loss against Freiburg.
Arokodare inspires Ajax rout
Ajax took an early advantage in the ninth minute when Arokodare headed home. Midtjylland responded in the 28th minute through Friday Ubi Etim, who brought the Danish club level.
The Nigerian forward put Ajax back ahead seven minutes after the restart, scoring his second in the 52nd minute. He then supplied the pass for Wijndal to increase the margin in the 59th minute. Davy Klaassen added Ajax’s fourth goal in the 67th minute, Oscar Gloukh struck in the 74th, and Marcos Leonardo rounded off the 6-1 victory eight minutes from time.
Arokodare left the field in the 70th minute. Etim, who scored Midtjylland’s only goal, was replaced at the interval. The home side had already been reduced to 10 men in the 43rd minute, when Wätjen was dismissed after receiving a second booking.
In the Europa League, fellow Super Eagles attacker Yusuf Bamidele was sent off despite Ferencvaros recording a 2-0 win over AC Milan at the San Siro.
Bamidele entered the game in the 67th minute but was given a straight red card 10 minutes later. VAR reviewed an off-the-ball confrontation involving Milan defender Mario Gila before the dismissal was confirmed.
Ferencvaros nevertheless secured their fourth straight win in the tournament. Lenny Joseph netted in the 52nd and 66th minutes, with Kristoffer Zachariassen providing both assists.
The Hungarian team moved into second position on 12 points after four games, level on points with leaders Bournemouth. Milan remain 26th with three points and were without injured Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze, who is expected to miss three months after undergoing successful hip surgery.
Onyemaechi unbeaten as Trabzonspor stumble
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Bruno Onyemaechi played 82 minutes as Olympiacos drew 0-0 away against Rennes on Wednesday. Nayair Tiknizyan replaced the Nigerian defender, while the Greek club stayed undefeated and held third place in the standings with 10 points from four fixtures.
Nigerian attacker Salim Lawal did not leave the bench as Viktoria Plzen earned a 1-0 away victory over Lillestrom in Norway, their first success of the competition.
In Conference League action, Paul Onuachu and Chibuike Nwaiwu both appeared for Trabzonspor in their 1-0 defeat at home to Freiburg.
Lukas Kübler scored the only goal after 14 minutes, converting after Andre Onana had saved Igor Matanovic’s header.
Onuachu came close to creating an equaliser when he flicked on a corner with his head for Mohamed Salah. However, the Egyptian was unable to finish past Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus from close distance. At the other end, Nwaiwu stopped a Maximilian Eggestein attempt that could have doubled Freiburg’s advantage.
The loss brought Trabzonspor’s perfect opening run to an end, although they remain on six points.
