Europa League R16: Ekambi’s lone goal keeps Rennes’ Quarter-final hopes alive despite defeat

Indomitable Lion of Cameroon and Rennes forward, Karl Toko Ekambi, was on target for his club against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League round of 16 first leg game this Thursday.

The 30-year-old newly acquired forward of Rennes, got the consolatory goal at the 59th minute after his side were two goals down in just the first half of play.

Dymitro Kryskiv put the host ahead at the 11th minute before Artem Bondarenko converted a 45’ penalty to take Shakhtar to the round of eight.

This was Shakhtar Donetsk’s first competitive match since 23 November, and so Rennes were tipped favourite, yet failed to capitalize on their chances during the game.

Ekambi made 77 minutes of brave efforts in the game and then succumbed his place to Lovro Majer, but then no goal was added to his.

This is Ekambi fourth match played since joining the French Ligue 1 club on loan from Olympique of Lyonnais in January 2023.

In these four games, he played three as a starter including this Europa league round 16 encounter, scoring his debut goal.

Following this defeat, Rennes have a slim chance of making it to the last eight as away goal rule no longer counts but aggregate scores to decide their fate when they meet again in the second leg fixture next week.

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