Super Eagles star of African Cup of Nations marks return to action with winning goal in UCL play-off

Nigeria’s senior African Cup of Nations (AFCON) star William Troost-Ekong marked his return to action with the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers to give PAOK a 3-2 victory over Borac.

Voted Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the AFCON, where Nigeria finished second after losing 1-2 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final, Ekong scored a goal similar to the one he scored when he opened the scoring in the last match of Africa’s premier football competition.

Ekong, who has not played since February due to the injury he sustained at the African Cup of Nations, leapt highest to head in the winner for the Greek team over the Bosnian fighters in the 51st minute.

The coach stood firm to secure his team’s victory ahead of the return match, which will be played on Wednesday at Borac Stadium. The winner of the tie on aggregate will advance to the next round of the preliminary phase of Europe’s elite club tournament.

Goodbye Emmanuel