Nigeria-eligible forward Chuba Akpom was the hero on Thursday as Ajax managed to win their first Eredivisie match since August, narrowly beating FC Volendam at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Having endured their worst-ever start to a league campaign since professional football began in the Netherlands, Ajax were searching for a victory on Thursday night to help haul them out of the relegation zone.
The first 45 minutes summed up Ajax’s season so far – the hosts simply couldn’t find the back of the net.
Twelve minutes into the second half, Ajax was able to open the scoring, a superb strike from Steven Bergwijn cannoned into the back of the net.
The chances kept coming for Ajax and eventually, in the 89th minute, it was Akpom who found the back of the net.
The Englishman scored his first Ajax goal since joining from Middlesbrough in the summer.
Having experienced a tough start to life in the Dutch capital, the former Arsenal man will be incredibly relieved to have opened his account.
The victory has moved Ajax out of the relegation zone and into 15th place.
