Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez has urged Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare to raise his defensive work-rate and remain more involved in possession, despite the striker scoring the decisive goal in Sunday’s away win against Sparta Rotterdam.
Coach demands more from Arokodare
- Sánchez praised Arokodare’s finishing ability after the match but made clear that the Super Eagles striker must contribute more when Ajax do not have the ball.
- The coach said Arokodare needs to improve his pressing, conserve his energy more effectively and remain connected to Ajax’s overall attacking moves for the full duration of games.
- “I want a little more from him. I love Tolu, but at times he must preserve rather than waste energy. I need him to be linked to the play at every moment,” Sánchez said.
- He also highlighted the need to protect possession, warning that opponents can quickly become dangerous whenever Ajax surrender the ball.
Ajax edge Sparta Rotterdam
- Ajax went ahead in the 22nd minute when Abdellah Ouazane exchanged passes with Julian Brandt before placing his finish into the far corner.
- Sparta Rotterdam levelled the contest two minutes before the interval through Jens Toornstra.
- Arokodare put Ajax back in front during first-half added time, converting a pass from Brandt after a rapid counter-attacking move.
The strike was Arokodare’s ninth since arriving at Ajax and his fifth in the Eredivisie. It also moved him to 101 goals in club and international football over the course of his career.
Marking the milestone on social media, Arokodare wrote: “101. Thank you all for the away support today, onto the next.”
