Nigerian forward Chuba Akpom bagged a brace for Ajax in their 3-1 home win over AEK Athens in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Akpom, who joined Ajax from Middlesbrough last summer, has been in incredible form for the Dutch outfit lately, scoring eight goals in his last nine matches.
Akpom ❤️ goals pic.twitter.com/Ws03i6Uwzw
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 14, 2023
The 28-year-old opened the scoring at the Johan Cruyff Arena, heading home a corner kick from Iceland international Kristian Hlynsson in the fifth minute after goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis misread the flight of the ball.
The visitors drew level seven minutes later through Levi Garcia’s thumping header from a left-footed free kick from Swedish midfielder Niclas Eliasson.
Ajax were back in front in the 21st minute thanks to a fine strike from Kenneth Taylor. The Dutchman received the ball from compatriot Jorrel Hato before unleashing a low and hard strike into the bottom corner.
After being played in by Dutch forward Ar’jany Martha, Akpom got his second goal of the game in the 56th minute, with a low strike into the goal after Athens’ shot-stopper Athanasiadis fluffed his lines once again.
European football secured ???? pic.twitter.com/HcfJ4FplqD
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 14, 2023
The victory took Ajax’s tally in Group B to five points as their journey in the Europa League comes to an end. However, they will remain in Europe as their third-place finish pushes them into the Conference League.
