Calvin Bassey continues Ajax revival in 2-4 win over Heerenveen
Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey played all 90 minutes as Ajax secured a 2-4 win over Heerenven to continue his revival after a slow start at the Eredivise champions.
Ajax signed Bassey from Glasgow Rangers but his arrival coincided with a torrid start to the season for Ajax under Alfred Schreuder who replaced Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag at the club.
Shreuder lost his job to Heitinga and the new manager has led the revival for Ajax and players like Calvin Bassey who had previously been subject of criticism.
Heitinga named Bassey in the starting XI after his Man of the match performance in Ajax win over NEC Nijmegen.The Nigerian international put up a decent performance as Ajax won 2-4 at Heerenven to maintain their chase of table toppers Feyenord in the Dutch Eredivise.
In-form Ghanian forward Mohammed kudus scored the opening goal with a left footed shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner to put Ajax 0-1 up.
Edson Alvarez doubled the lead in the 16th minute for Ajax who dominated proceedings in the matchday 25 clash in Netherlands.
Ajax were three goals up by the 19th minute when Steven Bergwin added a third in the 19th minute to give Ajax a comfortable cushion.
In the 40th minute, Bassey required medical attention. Following the intervention of medical personnels, the defender was back on his feet to continue play.
Relief for Ajax manager Heitinga and Nigeria Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Paseiro with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers vs Guinea Bissau few weeks away.
Heerenven reduced the deficit through Pelle Van Amersfoot who scored with a header from a Thom Hate cross.
Kenneth Taylor then scored to put Ajax 1-4 up but Hereenven will not go down without a fight, Sydney Van Hooijdonk scored with a 79th minute header for 2-4.
A six goal thriller, it finished Hereenven 2-4 Ajax.
