Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong was the hero on Wednesday night, scoring a vital goal to lead Al Ahli Doha to a brilliant 4–1 win over Al-Gharafa.
Playing away at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, the veteran defender showed his leadership as his team fought back from a goal down to secure all three points in the Qatar Stars League.
Troost-Ekong Scores First Goal in Qatar Stars League
The match began with Al-Gharafa taking control. Yacine Brahimi opened the scoring with a calm penalty in the 28th minute, leaving Al Ahli trailing at the break.
However, the visitors returned for the second half with renewed energy. Younes Abdelrahman leveled the score just seconds after the restart, setting the stage for the Nigerian international to shine.
In the 59th minute, Troost-Ekong found the back of the net to complete the turnaround. It was a landmark moment for the 32-year-old, marking his first goal for the club in his 14th appearance.
His powerful strike shifted the momentum entirely in favor of the visitors.
Defensive Leader Secures Vital Points for Al Ahli Doha
The drama continued late into the game as Al Ahli Doha extended their lead. Michel Vlap scored a penalty in the 87th minute, and Abdelrahman added his second goal deep in stoppage time.
This 4–1 victory ended a difficult run for the team, who had struggled through two losses and a draw in their previous three outings.
Ekong, who joined the club during the winter transfer window from Al Kholood, has been a key figure since arriving.
Signed until 2028, the experienced center-back wears the number five jersey and was brought in to provide stability.
While the team currently sits 10th in the 12-team league, this performance proves they have the quality to climb the table.