Karl Toko Ekambi, the lethal weapon of the OL
On fire in recent weeks, Karl Toko Ekambi is decisive in club and country. The Cameroonian will have a new opportunity to crack this Thursday evening against West Ham in the Europa League in a crucial game.
A Clutch Player. In recent weeks, Karl Toko Ekambi has taken the good habit of scoring in the money time. On March 28, he waited until the 124th minute to plant a goal (2-1 victory) and a stab in the heart of the Algerians, who were virtually qualified for the World Cup in Qatar. An achievement that is worth a lot for the former player of Angers since he sent his country to the World Cup, after having already been valuable during the Africa Cup of Nations 2022 (5 goals).
At club level too, the native of Paris has scored important goals. The last one was just on Sunday. It was against Strasbourg in a very important match in the championship. The Gones were down 1-0 for a long time, but were saved in the 90th minute by KTE. This goal allows Olympique Lyonnais, tenth in L1 with 46 points, to keep a slim hope of qualification for the European Cup. A European scene where the 29-year-old footballer shines particularly this season.
Top scorer of the OL this season
Indeed, Karl Toko Ekambi is the top scorer of OL in the Europa League with 6 goals. He scored almost 1/3 of the goals of his team in this competition since the Rhone found the net 19 times in C3 this year. Tonight, he will have the opportunity to improve his statistics against West Ham in the quarterfinal second leg (1-1 in the first leg). A time uncertain in London last week because of the covid-19, the Cameroonian had finally been able to make the trip and even enter the game 27 minutes, without scoring however.
A point that he hopes to rectify in front of the public of the Groupama Stadium, he who is one of the elements most used by Peter Bosz. KTE has made 33 appearances in all competitions, including 27 as a starter, and is also decisive. He has scored 14 goals in all this season. In detail, there are 6 in the Europa League and 8 in the French championship. He is the top scorer of the club in all competitions. To all this, we must add 5 assists.
The OL is conquered
Interesting statistics from the player under contract until 2024, who has not always shown precision in the past. What he has visibly improved to the delight of Peter Bosz. “Karl is important with his goals and dribbling. He is dangerous. He is playing better and better and plays very close to Moussa Dembélé if the ball is on the other side. We need people for the crosses. Not only the number 9”.
Also present in front of the media this Wednesday, Romain Faivre, who arrived this winter, also praised the Cameroonian. “Karl is a big brother. He talks to us in the locker room. He is a very good guy in the locker room and on the field”. Commendations that will certainly appreciate the 29-year-old player. A player on whom Olympique Lyonnais and its many supporters count on this Thursday to put on his suit of serial striker and to crack down against West Ham.
