Nwakaeme put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute, albeit, the goal was cancelled out by referee Erkan Ozdamar after VAR replays ruled that the Super Eagle had been in an offside position.
Five minutes into the second-half, Anastasios Bakasetas handed Trabzonspor the lead. With goalkeeper Abdulsamed Damlu punching out a dangerous free-kick, the Greek forward picked the rebound, controlled the ball before unleashing a beauty past Damlu.
That strike saw the hosts come out in their numbers in search of an equaliser. However, their efforts met strong resistance from a solid Black Sea Storm backline.
In the closing stages of the tie, Nwakaeme had the final say – dribbling past Issam Chebake before sending a ferocious shot past the goalkeeper.
After the restart, however, Ekuban inspired Unal Karaman s side to victory when he set up Anastasios Bakasetas to break the deadlock, moments before the hour mark.
The goal proved vital, as it decided the outcome of the game, ensuring Trabzonspor secured all three points.
The Ghana international featured for 78 minutes before he was replaced by Flavio while his teammate and the Democratic Republic of the Congo international Benik Afobe played for two minutes after he brought on Djanini Tvaris.
Nigeria international Anthony Nwakaeme was on parade for 90 minutes and made frantic efforts to add to his five goals this season before he was replaced by Majid Hosseini.
Seye Omidiora 20:00 SAST 2021/01/29 Goal preview the nation’s stars expected to feature for their respective clubs around the world this weekend Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Preview of Nigerians abroad
Victor Osimhen could return to the Napoli starting line-up after two substitute appearances in league and cup as Gennaro Gattuso’s inconsistent side seek a return to winning ways in Serie A.
In the Premier League, Alex Iwobi will hope to start for Everton after only getting 10 minutes against Wilfred Ndidi’s Leicester City in midweek. Getty Kelechi Iheanacho
Ndidi was replaced in the draw vs Everton during the week and may miss out when Leicester City host Leeds United at the King Power Stadium.
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Victor Osimhen made his much-anticipated return in Napoli’s 3-1 loss to Hellas Verona in the Italian Serie A on Sunday.
The Nigerian last played for Gli Azzurri in November after picking up a shoulder injury, which saw him miss seven games.
He came on for Andrea Petagna in the 65th minute but failed to get on the score sheet. The 22-year-old has scored twice for the Italian giants in seven Serie A appearances.
Simeon Nwankwo scored his seventh Serie A goal of the season for bottom-placed Crotone in their 2-1 loss away at Fiorentina on Saturday.