Ghana striker Caleb Ekuban played full 90 minutes as Trabzonspor survived a late scare to progress to the group stage of the Europa League despite losing 2-0 in the reverse fixture against AEK Athens at home on Thursday evening.
The defeat at home means Ekuban’s hat-trick in the first leg has single handedly powered his side to the group stage of Europe inter-club competition.
Goals from Croatian Marko Livaja and Petros Mandalos ensured the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
But the Turkish giants advance by virtue of a better away record to make the group stage of the competition.
The Black Stars striker who missed Ghana’s only penalty that saw them exite the 2019 Afcon after losing 7-6 to Tunisia on penalties, scored a sensational hat-trick in the first leg to ensure the Turkish giants avoided a heartbreak after losing 2-0 at home.
The ex-Leeds United striker has so far registered four goals in four matches in the qualifying campaign.
The draw for the Europa League takes place on Friday.