Mokio breaks deadlock as Ajax win season opener

Mokiogoal
Mokiogoal

Ajax kicked off the new VriendenLoterij Eredivisie season with a 0-2 victory away to PEC Zwolle. It took time for the visitors to break the deadlock, with Jorthy Mokio putting Ajax ahead fifteen minutes from time. Eredivisie debutant Julian Brandt then wrapped up the win deep into stoppage time.

Date: 09.08.2026

Photographer: AFC Ajax

  • #PECAJA

Marc ter Stegen started between the posts for Ajax, marking his first appearance for the club. The German goalkeeper was called into action after half an hour, producing an excellent save from Tobias Sommer's close-range header. It was the biggest chance of the match up to that point. Ajax had looked threatening earlier on, but efforts from Abdellah Ouazane and Steven Berghuis failed to hit the target.

  • Caiohenrique1
  • Trainerveldcheck
  • Terstegendoel2
  • Godtswarmingup
  • Toluajax
  • Terstegenpecaja
  • Dolbergrug
  • Bouwmanpecajax
  • Berghuisinzwolle
  • Terstegencoaching
  • Gloukhbuitenkantvoet
  • Dolbergajaxclose
  • Rosapecajax
  • Mokioklaassen
  • Tolumokio
  • Brandtgodtsajax
  • Mokio Naafloop


Ajax remained on top after the break. The visitors only managed to turn their dominance into goals following the red card shown to Sherel Floranus.

After a wave of attacks and several substitutions by head coach Míchel Sánchez, Mokio finally found the breakthrough, finishing after excellent hold-up play and a neat lay-off from striker Tolu. Brandt sealed the victory in stoppage time with Ajax's second goal.

PEC Zwolle - Ajax 0-2 (0-0)
76. Mokio 0-1
90+5. Brandt 0-2

Red card: 57. Floranus (PEC Zwolle)

Ajax: Ter Stegen; Rosa, Bouwman, Baas, Henrique; Regeer (61. Mokio), Klaassen, Gloukh (61. Brandt), Berghuis (61. Godts), Dolberg (67. Leonardo), Ouazane (73. Tolu)

Related articles

Louislesthumb

The lessons of Louis van Gaal: An inside look into his 94/95 Ajax notes

In celebration of his 75th birthday, we step inside the remarkable football mind of Louis van Gaal. Guided by original match briefings preserved in the Ajax archives, he looks back on the defining moments that shaped both his career and the club's history. From motivating his players to crafting the perfect tactical approach, Van Gaal offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the way he worked.

  • #VanGaal75
Wijndalscoort1920

Highlights Ajax - Shelbourne FC | First-leg victory

Ajax secured a 3-1 win over Shelbourne FC at home. Mika Godts and Owen Wijndal found the net in the first half, before Kasper Dolberg made it 3-0 shortly after the restart. The Irish side pulled one back in the closing stages of this UEFA Conference League third qualifying round tie. The return leg will be played on Thursday, August 13.

  • #UECL
  • #AJASHE
Klaasssenheader1920

Klaassen, this generation’s ‘Mr Ajax’: 'I call him Sjaakie too'

Davy Klaassen reached the milestone of 400 appearances for Ajax's first team on Thursday evening. He achieved the landmark in the match against Shelbourne FC in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Only seven Ajax players in the club’s history have gone before him. From Sjaak Swart to Ruud Krol. By making his 400th appearance in the famous white-red-and-white shirt, Klaassen will join an illustrious group.

  • #Klaassen