After 11 years, Black Stars shot-stopper Lawrence Ati Zigi and his team FC St. Gallen celebrated great success in Turkey on Thursday night as the team qualified to play in the Europa Conference League after winning the second leg against Trabzonspor 5:4 on penalties and advanced to the Conference League.
The visitors put in a committed performance away from home and were rewarded in the 31st minute when Isaac Schmidt tucked the ball into the net after a pass from Chadrac Akolo.
The Turkish side however got back into the game in the 52nd minute after a corner kick bringing the score line to a 1-1 draw game after full-time. The game channeled to a penalty shootout where FC St. Gallen beat the home side 6-5 on penalties to book a place for their seventh qualification for a European competition.
In a post for the Switzerland side was Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi who delivered a stellar performance for FC St. Gallen in both the first and second-leg match against Trabzonspor in the playoffs making crucial saves.
The 27-year-old’s heroic display in the post was exceptional as he made away with made 6 incredible saves to secure his club St. Gallen’s qualification in the Europa Conference League.
“The wall” as he’s affectionately called by his teammates has gone on to make some phenomenal and outstanding goalkeeping throughout their games in both Europe and in the Swiss league for his team.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi since the beginning of the 2024/25 season, has kept five clean sheets at post for FC St. Gallen.
The team since 2013 has struggled to make an appearance on this stage but exactly eleven years after their last appearance in the group stage of a European competition, St. Gallen managed to repeat the feat.
The six opponents the Eastern Swiss will face in their first participation in the Conference League will be drawn today in Monaco.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Monica Bukari
