Amsterdam football club Ajax has failed to qualify for this year’s Champions League competition after drawing 2-2 at home against French league number three Nice.

The first leg, which took place in France, was also a draw, putting Nice through on away goals.

Ajax must now take part in a qualifying round for this year’s Europa League, in which it came second last season.

After the match coach Marcel Keizer said he did not expect to lose more key players to other clubs, despite Ajax’ failure to qualify for the big European competition.

‘I don’t think players will leave. They want to develop further at Ajax,’ he said. However, Keizer said he hoped to boost the size of his own squad before the end of the transfer window, particularly in terms of defenders.

Match report