Omar Colley scored his first goal of the season last Saturday to almost secure his team, Racing Genk’s place in the Belgian Championship play-off one, after a 1-0 away victory over Waasland-Beveren.
The Gambian captain stroke from a corner in the 68th for the only goal of the game that saw very little from the visitors. However it ensured they went away with all three points to stay 5th on the Jupiler league table, within reach of a place in the Championship playoff.
Although that’s all but certain as their closest rivals, 6th place Standard Liege, whom they are to face in the Cup final in a fortnight’s time, also won 3-2 away in Mechelen to stay on their trail, whilst 7th place Antwerp also drew to stay level on points with Liege, with only three points separating them from Genk. This means, although Genk have a superior goal deference, they will still need at least a point against 4th place Gent next week to confirm their place in the title play offs.
Belgian season, which runs from late July to early May, with teams playing 30 matches each in the regular season, is decided by playoffs. Teams in the top 6 on the league table by the end of the 30 games enter the first pool in play-off 1 (also known as the title playoffs), and those who finished from 7th to 15th enter play-offs 2.
Teams in Play-off 1, play in double-legged ties. The teams then earn points from this ties from rounding, wins, etc. as in the regular season, with the first-placed team winning the Championship of Belgium.
Colley has been in fine form this season, which saw him being described as one the best defenders in the Belgian First Division League by Swedish journalist, Sven Claes, who covers Genk for Het Van Limburg, a Dutch language regional newspaper in Belgium.
“I really like these players. Colley and Aidoo have really impressed. However, Colley is the one who stands out the most of the defenders,” said Claes.
“He is one of the best the best defenders in Belgium. I think he’s ready for the next step, i think he’s leaving this summer”
The 25-year-old former Djurgården defender, has been one of the outstanding performers for the Genk side this season, along with his defensive partners Jere Uronen and young Ghanaian defender Joseph Aidoo. His goal on Saturday is the icing on the cake after a stella season.
By Omar Jatta
