William Troost-Ekong scored a crucial goal in PAOK's 3-2 victory over Borac Banja Luka in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. His decisive header in the 51st minute secured the win, marking his first club goal since May 2023. The result strengthens PAOK's position in the competition.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong scored a crucial goal to secure PAOK's 3-2 victory over Borac Banja Luka in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The match, held on Wednesday, showcased Troost-Ekong's decisive role in what proved challenging for the Greek side.
Troost-Ekong, who joined PAOK last year, had faced a significant setback due to a long-term injury that kept him sidelined for the latter part of the previous season. Despite this, he has been a steady presence for PAOK and was integral to their pre-season preparations. His resilience was evident as he made a notable impact in the qualifiers.
The game began with PAOK taking an early lead, only to see Borac Banja Luka equalize twice, making the fixture far from a straightforward win. In the 51st minute, Troost-Ekong emerged as the hero. Rising above the defense, he connected with a cross from Kiril Despodov to head the ball into the net, clinching the match-winning goal.
This goal marked Troost-Ekong’s first club goal since May 27, 2023, when he scored for Salernitana in a Serie A match against Udinese. His performance not only highlights his return to form but also boosts PAOK's chances as they advance in the Champions League qualifiers.
With this vital win, PAOK now has a solid foundation to build upon for the return leg of their qualifying campaign.
