Super Eagles: 2 traits Ajax legend Huntelaar likes about Tolu Arokodare

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has received a glowing assessment from Ajax legend Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who highlighted two qualities that have helped the Nigerian make an encouraging start in Amsterdam, Afrik-Foot reports.

Arokodare joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in July, with the Dutch giants also securing an option to make the transfer permanent.

The move followed his impressive spell at KRC Genk, where he finished as the Jupiler Pro League’s top scorer in the 2024/25 season.

The 25-year-old has since been competing with Marcos Leonardo for the central striker position, but Huntelaar believes Arokodare has already made a positive impression.

Speaking on Voetbal International’s Pak Schaal Podcast, the former Ajax striker was asked about the club’s two new forwards and was particularly complimentary about the Nigerian.

“I think Tolu is doing well. He scores his goals and is dangerous when he is on the pitch. He is a focal point.”

2 traits Huntelaar likes about Super Eagles striker

1. Tolu Arokodare is already delivering goals

The first quality Huntelaar highlighted is perhaps the most obvious requirement for any striker: Arokodare is finding the net.

Rather than simply praising the Nigerian’s potential, Huntelaar pointed to the goals he has already contributed as evidence that he is doing well.

That is important because the Super Eagles striker arrived in Amsterdam with expectations attached to his goalscoring record in Belgium.

Ajax themselves identified him as a physically strong striker who had already proven that he could score goals when announcing his arrival.

The Nigerian also made an immediate impression after coming off the bench against FC Volendam, scoring his first Ajax goal just 17 minutes after entering the game.

Huntelaar’s assessment suggests that Arokodare has already shown one of the most important reasons Ajax brought him to the Netherlands.

2. His ability to act as a focal point

The former Schalke 04 forward identified the Super Eagles star as a striker who can serve as a reliable target for his teammates: someone who can receive the ball, bring others into play and provide a reference point for the attack.

It is a quality Arokodare has developed throughout his career. When Ajax signed him, technical director Jordi Cruyff described the Nigerian as a profile the squad did not previously have, specifically pointing to his physical strength and goalscoring ability.

Arokodare’s role was also evident during Ajax’s 1-3 defeat to PSV earlier this season. Although Ajax lost, he scored and provided the kind of presence that allowed the team to play forward, performing well as an attacking focal point.

That gives Huntelaar’s comments extra weight. The former Ajax striker knows exactly what is required from a traditional No. 9, and his verdict suggests that Arokodare’s value to the Dutch side extends beyond his goals.

A different assessment from Marcos Leonardo

Huntelaar’s praise for Arokodare becomes even more notable when compared with his assessment of Marcos Leonardo.

The 43-year-old believes Leonardo is still searching for his rhythm, and he sees Arokodare as a striker who is already making an impact. For the Super Eagles, that could be encouraging news.

If Arokodare can continue combining his goalscoring with the physical and hold-up qualities Huntelaar has identified, his importance at Ajax will grow, and that would strengthen his claim for a starting role with Nigeria.