Racing Genk don show say dem no dey give up, even when things no dey dia hand. Dem don finally reach the play-off final wey go decide who go get the last Conference League ticket for Europa.
Na on the field of OH Leuven dem take win 2-0, with two goals wey Japanese players score. But make we no forget say Charleroi help dem well well.
Before the match, OH Leuven don honour Maziz and Prévot, wey dey leave the club after three years. But the main salute na for captain Mathieu Maertens, wey dem give big respect.
For the home side, nothing else to fight for except honour, because this na the last matchday of the Europe Play Offs. But for Genk, na must-win to still get chance for Europe. And even more, Standard must not win against Charleroi for dia home.
The match start slow, but after quarter of an hour, the first shot wey enter goal na goal. Medina choose Ito well for the 16-yard box, and Ito get space to turn and put ball for far corner, pass Leysen wey dey mind goal.
OH Leuven try to respond but dem no fit find answer. For some minutes dem camp around Genk 16-yard box but nobody fit shoot. One time Maertens shoot, but Brughmans wey dey keep for Genk do well to save am.
That miss come cost OHL, because two minutes later, Genk score again. El Ouahdi do good work for right side and give ball to Yokoyama wey dey free. Yokoyama no waste time, he shoot once and score im first goal for Genk first team.
Just before half time, Medina try to tap ball but e go too far from im foot. He still try to finish before Leysen, but ball hit post. Genk dey happy as dem go for second half, especially as for Sclessin the score still 0-0.
Second half, OHL come out more sharp with two changes. Brughmans need to do two good saves to stop Sory Kaba from scoring.
The big moment come fifteen minutes before end. Mathieu Maertens, with guard of honour from im teammates, dey substituted under big applause. But Genk fans also get reason to celebrate, because at the same time, Charleroi take lead for Sclessin through Romsaas.
The sting don leave the match for the last quarter, and Genk no mind because next week dem go play barrage match for the last European ticket. That match go be on the field of KAA Gent or KV Mechelen. We go know Sunday evening.
Coach Nicky Hayen talk say dem go focus on dia own match first. Dem expect Charleroi to play sharp for that derby, but Genk must first look at themselves. The instruction clear: win for Leuven. Then dem go see the other result.
Hayen also talk about next season. Dem dey discuss plenty things inside the club. The standard go higher, for players and staff. But first, dem want to do everything to get that last chance for European football.
Good news for Genk: Heymans don fully recover and train well. Mirisola and Bangoura also train and look ready. But Smets still get problem, and Noah Adedeji Sternberg no dey. For Karetsas, dem go check Saturday morning if e fit play.
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