PAOK Football Club fans have expressed their dissatisfaction over the club's decision of letting Super Eagles captain and AFCON 2023 MVP player leave at a crucial time, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.
Ekong about a week ago agreed to join Al Khalood in Saudi Arabia for the 202425 league season, a decision PAOK's fans beleieved haunted them in their 4-3 UEFA Champions League playoff loss to Malmo last Wednesday.
Reacting to the defeat, aome pained fans beleived the there was no way the team could've conceded some of the goals they let in against Malmo if Ekong was present in the game.
A fan wrote on X: "We (PAOK) are not losing this with Ekong still with us." Another person reacted saying: "No way will PAOK concede like they this if Ekong was there in the defense."
The most pained among them believed the club traded money for European glory by letting Ekong leave at a critical time in the club's history. "Poor timing to let AFCON MVP (Ekong) leave. Not like he has joined his new team. Why didn't he play today?" he asked.
Troost-Ekong who prior to the move has been on the radar of Saudi Arabia clubs for some time was also monitored by Shabab Al-Ahli who were reported to also sent in their offer for the experienced defender.
Oluwayemi Omolagba