Nigeria's Chuba Akpom delivered an outstanding performance, securing a brace with two goals as Ajax triumphed over AEK Athens with a 3-1 victory in the UEFA Europa League at the Johan Cruyff Arena Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The 28-year-old opened score with a header from a corner kick from Iceland international Kristian Hlynsson in the fifth minute after goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis misread the flight of the ball.
The Greek side levelled score through Levi Garcia’s thumping header from a left-footed free kick from Swedish midfielder Niclas Eliasson in the 12th minute.
Kenneth Taylor helped Ajax return to the lead 9 minutes later as the first phase of the game ended 2-1 in favour of the Dutch side.
In the second half, Akpom consolidated the win for the host in the 56th minute with a low strike into the goal after Athens’ shot-stopper Athanasiadis fluffed his lines once again.
The result unfortunately could not see the Dutch side progress to the next round of the Europa League and will be part of the unseeded teams for the play off of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Uche Dozie