Arokodare levelled in the 23rd minute with a low right-footed finish that bounced into the far corner, cancelling out Ricardo Pepi’s fourth-minute header. The Super Eagles forward, on loan at Ajax from Wolverhampton Wanderers, has now scored in four successive matches for the Amsterdam club.
PSV, the reigning Dutch champions, still took the points. Lutsharel Geertruida volleyed them back in front in first-half stoppage time on his PSV debut, and Esmir Bajraktarević sealed the win in the 92nd minute. The result was the first big “topper” of the 2026/27 Eredivisie season and left Ajax without a home league win in five matches.
Pepi’s opener came from Ivan Perišić’s deep cross and a headed knockdown by Ruben van Bommel. Arokodare’s reply briefly lifted the ArenA. Ajax then missed two clear chances to go in front before Geertruida struck from a corner. After the break Ajax had more of the ball and finished with 19 shots to 13, but PSV were clinical on the counter.
Arokodare was withdrawn in the 61st minute. His start in the Netherlands has been one of the brighter notes of Ajax’s mixed opening. He last played for Nigeria in November 2025, in a World Cup play-off against the Democratic Republic of Congo, and was omitted from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad. Five goals already this season strengthen the case for a recall.
PSV sit top of the table after five matches. Ajax have a game in hand but trail by six points. For Arokodare, the afternoon was another personal mark in a losing cause — a clinical equaliser that could not prevent Peter Bosz’s side from taking the derby spoils.