Close call for Anderlecht: 1-2

GAMES Anderlecht did what they had to do yesterday: they won against Zulte Waregem with 1-2. However, it was a close call. It was not a great match and Anderlecht only managed to make the difference close before the final whistle through a tremendous effort by Stefano Okaka.

Anderlecht started off with a motivated attitude and created some chances. The Mauves had most ball possession in the first half but they could not do much with the ball. However, two incidents were remarkable in the first 45 minutes. After about 15 minutes Kara Mbodj hit the head of Zulte midfielder Essikal, who felt down unconscious. He had to be taken off the pitch. Again 15 minutes later, Stefano Okaka hit Lepoint's knee with the studs of his shoe and Lepoint also had to be taken away for medical treatment with a flesh wound.

The ball possession was also for Anderlecht in the second half and finally they could take advantage out of the situation. Dennis Praet opened the score after a great assist by Youri Tielemans. However, the joy did not take long as Mbaye Leye soon scored the equalizer.

It looked like the match would end on a tie, but Stefano Okaka kept his best effort for the last couple of minutes. After a great effort, he made sure Anderlecht obtained the important three points that keep the Mauves in the race for the title.

Score: 1-2
Goal(s): 54' Dennis Praet, 65' Mbaye Leye, 87' Stefano Okaka

Zulte Waregem:Steppe, Baudry, Diallo, Leye, De Ridder, Dalsgaard, Meïté (70’ Mendy), Lepoint (34’ Verboom), Cordaro, Kaya, Essikal (26’ Buyl).
RSC Anderlecht:Proto, Mbodji, Najar, Badji (82’ Sylla), Praet, Nuytinck, Defour, Conte (78’ Hassan), Buttner, Tielemans (70’ Djuricic), Okaka.

Yellow cards: /
Red cards: /

Referee: Serge Gumienny
Stadium: Regenboogstadion