Rotherham's Semi Ajayi Sets New Record With Brace Against Queens Park Rangers

Published: March 14, 2019

Rotherham's Nigeria international, Semi Ajayi set a new personal record after netting a brace against Queen Park Rangers in their EFL Championship game on Wednesday, including a late winner which his club manager described as a special moment.

For the first time in his career, he has scored six goals in a single EFL season, beating the old mark of four goals set in 2018.

With 71 minutes played at the Loftus Road Stadium, Ajayi found the bottom left corner with a brilliant shot to open the scoring only for his compatriot, Bright Osayi-Samuel starring for the opposition to peg them back 16 minutes later.

But the Super Eagle will have the final say, settling the tensed encounter deep into added time when he connected with an Anthony Forde's floated cross to beat Rangers goalkeeper, Joe Lumley for the second time and hand his team all three points.

Ajayi's impressive displays have seen him pick up the Man of the Match awards in three of his last four outings.

Club manager Paul Wayne in his post-match reaction admitted that he was surprised at the manner in which the winner came from the Nigerian.

"It is pretty amazing to be honest. I won't underestimate how much it means to me, the dressing room and all the travelling fans who made a fantastic effort to come.

"For Fordey to put in a quality ball in like that, and for Semi to attack it, especially where our fans were, was a really special moment."

Ajayi will certainly not be lacking in suitors even though the Millers who are still embroiled in relegation battle (22nd place on the 24-team table) fail to beat the drop this season.

Emmanuel Chinaza