| Ajak Riak | |
| Fullname: | Ajak Chol Riak |
| Birth Date: | 12 December 2000 |
| Birth Place: | Nairobi, Kenya[1] |
| Height: | 1.92m |
| Position: | Forward |
| Currentclub: | Sheriff Tiraspol |
| Clubnumber: | 9 |
| Youthyears1: | –2019 |
| Youthclubs1: | Bayswater City |
| Youthyears2: | 2019–2020 |
| Youthclubs2: | Stirling Lions |
| Youthyears3: | 2021 |
| Youthclubs3: | Olympic Kingsway |
| Youthyears4: | 2021–2023 |
| Youthclubs4: | Inglewood United |
| Years1: | 2022 |
| Caps1: | 20 |
| Goals1: | 7 |
| Clubs1: | Bentleigh Greens |
| Years2: | 2023 |
| Caps2: | 23 |
| Goals2: | 10 |
| Clubs2: | South Melbourne |
| Years3: | 2023–2024 |
| Caps3: | 14 |
| Goals3: | 5 |
| Clubs3: | PSS Sleman |
| Years4: | 2024– |
| Caps4: | 0 |
| Goals4: | 0 |
| Clubs4: | Sheriff Tiraspol |
| Nationalyears1: | 2023– |
| Nationalteam1: | South Sudan |
| Nationalcaps1: | 8 |
| Nationalgoals1: | 0 |
| Club-Update: | 30 April 2024 |
| Nationalteam-Update: | 21 November 2023 |
Ajak Chol Riak (born 12 December 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Moldovan Super Liga club Sheriff Tiraspol. Born in Kenya, he represents South Sudan national team at international level.
Riak was born in Nairobi, Kenya before his family immigrated to Australia when he was just a child.[2] Playing for several clubs in the National Premier Leagues Western Australia youth divisions, Riak moved to Melbourne and signed with Bentleigh Greens, where he assisted the club to a Round of 16 spot in the 2022 Australia Cup, where despite Riak scoring a 86th minute consolation goal,[3] they were knocked out 2–1 by A-League Men heavyweights Sydney FC.[4]
Riak's strong performances for Bentleigh in both the Australia Cup, and the NPL Victoria saw former National Soccer League champions South Melbourne secure his signing for the 2023 season.[5] After further strong performances for South Melbourne throughout the 2023 NPL season, Riak secured his first move overseas, and ultimately professional contract when he signed for PSS Sleman in 2023–24 Liga 1.[6]
PSS Sleman announced Riak's signing in late November 2023, as a replacement for Ukrainian striker Yevhen Bokhashvili who had departed to sign for Sriwijaya.[7] His signing came alongside fellow African Australian Elvis Kamsoba who had recently been released from Iranian club Sepahan.[8] Riak's debut came in a 2–1 victory against Barito Putera, where Riak was praised highly for his performance.[9]
Despite also being eligible for Kenya and Australia, Riak accepted a call up from South Sudan under Italian manager Stefano Cusin, making his full international debut against Congo in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.[2]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Bentleigh Greens | 2022 | NPL Victoria | 20 | 7 | 2 | 1 | – | 0 | 0 | 22 | 8 | ||
| South Melbourne | 2023 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 23 | 10 | |||
| PSS Sleman | 2023–24 | Liga 1 | 14 | 5 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 14 | 5 | |||
| Sheriff Tiraspol | 2024–25 | Moldovan Super Liga | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 57 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 23 | |||
| South Sudan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals | |
| 2023 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 0 | |
Riak has been described as quick and strong player, especially during aerial duels courtesy of his height. In addition, he does possess a powerful finish.[2]