Tolu Arokodare scores late to salvage point for Amiens against Guingamp

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria forward Toluwalase Emmanuel Arokodare proved to be the saviour for second-tier French Ligue 2 side, Amiens as his last-gasp goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for his side against Guingamp on Tuesday.

Host Amiens had crashed out of Coupe de France after a 4-2 loss on penalties to Thaon in its first match of 2023.

Visitors Guingamp suffered a similar feat with a 2-0 loss to Quevilly Rouen in its last Ligue 2 in 2022 on December 31.

After a goalless first half, the visitors made the best of an early advantage in the second half as Moroccan forward, Amani El Ouazzani scored the first goal off Vincent Manceau’s assist in the 47th minute.

Undaunted to lose its opening two games of the year, coach Philippe Hinschberger introduced Arokodare who replaced Senegalese forward, Papiss Cisse in the 62nd minute.

And the substitution paid off as the former FC Koln player scored Amiens’ equaliser in the 90th minute off Antoine Leautey’s assist at the Stade de la Licorne, Amiens.

The goal took Arokodare’s tally to six in 18 Ligue 2 games this season, two goals less than his tally for the previous season when he scored eight goals in 35 games. He has also scored two goals in the Coupe de France.

Amiens occupy the fifth position on the French Ligue 2 table with 28 points after 18 games, four points, and three places short of promotion places.

The first two teams at the end of the season will automatically gain promotion to top-flight Ligue 1 as Le Havre and Bordeaux occupy the top two positions with 39 and 32 points respectively.

Amiens will next face second-placed Bordeaux at the Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux on January 13, 2023.