Chuba Akpom's magic secures Ajax's European status after crucial Athens win

Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam will remain in Europe for the 2023/24 season after a Chuba Akpom-inspired victory against AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League, UEL. 

Akpom was in fine form after a man-of-the-match display saw Ajax secure Conference football following a 3-1 win against Athens on Thursday night. 

In what was the final match of the group stages, with both sides already knocked out of the Europa League, the Dutch side needed a win while the Greek side only needed a draw.

Ajax started on the front foot and made their intentions known early on when Akpom took just five minutes to send the home fans into a frenzy as he opened the scoring to put them in front.

The lead only lasted six minutes before Athen bounced back to level the scores thanks to Levi Garcia.

Ajax would weather the storm with two more goals, first from Kenneth Taylor, who restored Ajax’s lead heading into the break before Chuba wrapped up the win with his second and a third in the second half. 

With the victory, the Dutch giants finished third which is enough to see them drop from UEFA’s second-tier competition to the Europa Conference League. 

In terms of his numbers in the all-important game, the 28-year-old was allowed to start and finish the match. 

Apart from his goals, he attempted five shots, two of which were on target while also hitting the woodwork once. 

However, the Super Eagles-eligible star could have had a hat-trick in the game but missed three big chances to add to his tally.

Akpom now has three goals in just one start to Ajax in the Europa League.