Galatasaray striker inspires Tolu Arokodare’s heroic gesture to Danish star

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has shown another side to his personality after his action inspired Tolu Arokodare’s touching tribute to injured Ajax teammate Kasper Dolberg after scoring against NEC Nijmegen.

Arokodare found the net in the seventh minute of Ajax’s Eredivisie clash against NEC at the Johan Cruyff ArenA yesterday evening, powering home a header from Jorthy Mokio’s cross to give the hosts an early lead.

However, Ajax could not turn that advantage into a victory. Tjaronn Chery equalised from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Jorthy Mokio was penalised for a foul, leaving the teams to share the spoils on the night.

The result left Ajax five points behind league leaders Feyenoord, who are still unbeaten in the Eredivisie with 20 points from eight games.

Arokodare reveals Victor Osimhen’s role in Dolberg tribute

Arokodare’s goal was not the only moment that caught the attention of supporters. After scoring, the Wolves loanee held up Dolberg’s shirt towards the stands in a show of solidarity with the Danish striker, who cannot play again this season.

Speaking after the match, Arokodare revealed that his Super Eagles teammate encouraged him to make the act.

“I wanted to do something like this. Or rather, it wasn’t my idea; Osimhen told me, ‘You should do something like this,’ and I did.

“I thank him for that,” the former Genk striker said in quotes revealed by Haber Sarı Kırmızı.

Osimhen famously held up Mauro Icardi’s shirt after scoring against Samsunspor in November 2024, dedicating his celebration to the Argentine forward after Icardi suffered an ACL injury.

Icardi watched from the stands as Osimhen displayed his shirt following his opening goal in Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory. The gesture was warmly received and offered a public show of support for a teammate facing a difficult rehabilitation period.

Arokodare followed that example in Amsterdam, using the celebration to remind Ajax supporters of Dolberg’s absence and encourage them to stand behind the Danish forward in what is set to be a tough spell.

Dolberg sustained the problem during a training session while on International duty during the September break and had to go under the knife for his right knee in Copenhagen.

Ajax would later confirm that the operation was successful, meaning the former Sevilla striker would not play football again this season.

Tolu Arokodare scores again but Ajax drop points

For Arokodare, the goal continued his efforts to make an impact at Ajax following his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, the hosts could not find a second goal after Chery’s equaliser. Ajax finished the game with 18 shots, but were unable to find the back of the net, as they dropped two points.

Arokodare was taken off in the 73rd minute, with Marcos Leonardo coming on in his place, but he will be looking to continue his goalscoring form when they play against Hajduk Split in the Conference League on Thursday.