Son of former Super Eagles midfielder scores for Empoli but misses penalty in win against Fiorentina

Emmanuel Ekong, son of former Super Eagles midfielder Prince Ikpe Ekong, showcased his talent by scoring the opening goal for Empoli in their Copa Italia clash against Fiorentina.

The match ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Empoli advancing to the quarterfinals after a tense penalty shootout.

Ekong wasted no time making his mark, finding the back of the net just four minutes into the game.

After Liam Henderson intercepted the ball, Ekong expertly beat Fiorentina's goalkeeper, Pietro Terracciano, with a precise right-footed shot, giving the visitors an early lead.

Fiorentina responded strongly in the second half, with in-form striker Moise Kean leveling the score just one minute before the hour mark.

The home side then took the lead in the 71st minute when Riccardo Sottil slotted home a pass from Robin Gosens, putting them ahead 2-1.

However, Empoli refused to back down. With only 15 minutes left on the clock, Sebastiano Esposito drew them level again.

After a recovery by Henderson, Esposito controlled the ball brilliantly and finished with finesse, making it 2-2 and sending the match into penalties.

Although Ekong had a standout performance, contributing significantly to his team's efforts, he faced a setback by missing his penalty kick during the shootout.

Nevertheless, Empoli triumphed 4-3 in the penalty shootout, securing their place in the next round.

This match marked Ekong's second goal in the Copa Italia, an impressive feat considering his struggles in the league, where he has yet to register a goal or assist in 11 appearances.

Having represented Sweden at various youth levels, including U17 and U20, the young striker remains eligible to play for Nigeria.

Adeyemi Adewale

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