'Magnificent finish' - Ex-Super Eagles star lauds Chelsea winger for his goal against Dortmund

1994 Africa Cup of Nations-winning striker Efan Ekoku on Tuesday night praised the quality of goal scored by England winger, Raheem Sterling in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the reverse leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie.

The Blues had lost the first leg 1-0 with Austrian forward of Nigerian descent, Karim Adeyemi scoring the decisive goal albeit the player was sorely missed in the second leg by the German Bundesliga side  through injury. 

Ekoku was on commentary duties for BT Sport, the exclusive right holders of the competition in the UK.

Sterling started as one of the three attacking forwards along with Kai Havertz and Joao Felix and put to rest rumours of his dissatisfaction at the club with an inspiring performance.

"Well, that's a relief really for anyone in Blue and indeed all the crowd," Ekoku, who played in the Premier League in the early 90s for Norwich City said in the commentary box. 

"It was messy, wasn't it. In about two or three occasions and this indeed was a complete miss for Sterling. 

"He (Sterling) had a little bit of luck. It ricocheted, a little deflection off. "

Ekoku, working as the co-commentator with the task of analyzing the actions while the lead commentator gives in-game updates further said:

"Raheem then brings it back into his strike zone in the end and then it was a magnificent finish. He just puts his foot through the ball, then he counts the pressure out of it and when you've not been playing well yourself, you need that team challenge really from the Dortmund captain. 

"The striker says: 'right, I need to smash this as soon as I can' as the goalkeeper moves to his left over and above him. 

"Not much he can do about it - the keeper - Alexander Meyer. Sterling hit it with too much venom," Ekoku further eulogized the quality of the goal. 

Chelsea had been in a poor run of form but seemingly turned the corner in the Premier League win over Leeds United in the past weekend. 

Izuchukwu Michael
 

Photo Credit : uefa.com

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