Rotherham United of England defensive midfielder, Semi Ajayi has won sweet words of praise from the lower division club’s coach, Paul Wayne, who said the player’s brace of goals against Queen Park Rangers in their English Championship game were amazing and special.
Speaking in the wake of the encounter, from which sports247.ng learnt Ajayi emerged with a new personal goals record and a late winner for his team, Wayne described it as a special personal and collective moment.
Wayne’s words came few hours after Ajayi took his goals’ tally to six in a single season, for the first time in his pro-career, bettering his previous mark of four goals achieved in 2018.
Ajayi struck first after 71 minutes at Loftus Road Stadium, as he found the bottom left corner with a well-placed shot to open scoring, before fellow-Nigerian, Bright Osayi-Samuel equalised 16 minutes later.
However, Ajayi made a world of difference deep into added time, when he got his head under Anthony Forde’s cross to beat Rangers’ Joe Lumley for the second time and give Rotherham maximum points on the night.
Ajayi started his 37th consecutive league appearance for the visitors, marshaling the midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation, en route to the victory that keeps Rotherham in 22nd position with 36 points from 37 games, just one ahead of 19th placed Millwall in their quest to escape relegation.
The tall former Flying Eagles invitee, whose goal ensured his side got their first victory over QPR in 68 years, has now scored seven times in 40 appearances across all competitions.
While Ajayi was aptly named man of the match, for the third time in his last four games, Wayne admitted he was surprised to see the lad he transformed from central defence to holding midfielder hit the decider.
Wayne confessed: “It is pretty amazing to be honest. 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.
“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.”
