Arokodare, Weghorst speak on prayer after on-field clash

File: FC Twente forward Wout Weghorst and Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare

FC Twente forward Wout Weghorst and Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare have explained why they prayed together on the pitch after Sunday’s 2-2 Eredivisie draw, saying the two share a close friendship built on their faith, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The pair held hands and prayed after the final whistle at the De Grolsch Veste in Enschede, following an entertaining contest in which both scored.

“We know each other well and have often had beautiful conversations about faith,” Weghorst told NOS.

Arokodare put Ajax ahead shortly after kick-off, and Rayane Bounida doubled the visitors’ lead in the second half. Weghorst then scored twice for Twente, the second a stoppage-time penalty in the 95th minute, to rescue a point.

The 34-year-old said the friendship began when Arokodare, then at Genk, approached him after a friendly against Burnley to ask for advice.

“He came up to me after the match for tips. Since then, we have always kept in touch and have had many wonderful conversations, also about the Lord,” he said.

Weghorst added that the prayer came after the two exchanged a warm embrace.

“We are both believers, and we thanked each other. We gave each other a big hug, and then he said, ‘ Shall we pray together for a moment? Then we gave thanks together for a moment. It was a beautiful afternoon, a beautiful football afternoon. We both played an important role.”

Arokodare also spoke about the meeting.

• AFCON qualifiers: Flight schedule delays Eagles, Taifa Stars arrival
• AFCON qualifiers: Okpala, Obafemi, others question Iheanacho’s Eagles snub
• Jakirović allays Ajayi injury fears

“I’m a Manchester United fan. When he played there, I was very surprised at his work ethic,” he told ESPN Netherlands.

“When we played against Burnley, I was looking for him after the game, and he was in the gym.”

The Super Eagles striker said Weghorst advised him on the pressing side of his game.

“He told me it’s all about having a top mentality to help the team any way I can,” he said. He also spoke of the faith they share.

“I’m happy to see the impact of God in his life, and I hope God keeps blessing him. I hope he scores more goals, but he should slow down a bit; some of us want to score too.”

The 25-year-old has scored in five straight games and has 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances this season, including seven goals in the Eredivisie and six in the UEFA Conference League. He joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with an option to buy.

Weghorst has scored five goals in his last three games.

Arokodare is in Éric Chelle’s 24-man Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania in Uyo on November 13 and in Zanzibar on November 17.