Captain-fantastic William Troost-Ekong heads PAOK to Champions League playoff win

By Asuquo

Posted on July 25, 2024

Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong delivered a crucial goal, giving PAOK Thessaloniki a vital first-leg win in their UEFA Champions League qualifying clash against Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka. The on-pitch captain’s strike ensured a 3-2 victory for the Greek team.

By winning the Greek top division, PAOK earned a place in Round 2 of the UCL qualifying playoffs. Hosting the first leg, PAOK capitalized on Ekong’s decisive goal to carry a narrow lead into the second leg.

The match saw an intense back-and-forth. Young defender Konstantinos Koulierakis opened the scoring for PAOK in the 17th minute.

READ MORE: NPFL lands new sponsorship deal

However, Borac quickly equalized through Sebastian Herrera’s penalty five minutes later. Koulierakis restored PAOK’s lead in the 39th minute, but Enver Kulasin struck just before half-time to level the score for Borac again.

Shortly after the break, Troost-Ekong, emulating his center-back partner, fired PAOK ahead in the 50th minute. He then played a pivotal role in securing the defense, ensuring the lead was maintained until the final whistle.

Troost-Ekong has been in remarkable form, showcasing his clutch goalscoring abilities for both PAOK and the Super Eagles, notably at the AFCON earlier this year. His performance has cemented his reputation as a key player for both club and country.