With the support of 138 travelling supporters – who braved the harsh weather conditions in Union’s ‘away box’ – our ‘Kemphanen’ were once again unable to pick up points in an away match. The home team was simply too strong, although it might have looked different should we have capitalised on that first biggest chance of the match.

KVC Westerlo

On Sunday morning, signings received the call that Zenzo De Boeck had to be taken to the hotel to take the place in the nucleus of the sick Koen Van Langendonck, who admittedly had been struggling with winter ailments all week, but on matchday his right ear was completely plugged and he could not focus 100%. His replacement was Nick Gillekens, a choice made because Sinan Bolat had just recovered and had not participated in all training sessions in recent weeks.

Four other ‘victims’ who did not make it into the starting line-up after the Dender match were: Emir Ortakaya, Sergii Sydorchuk, Thomas Van den Keybus and Griffin Yow. Emin Bayram, after injury, Dogucan Haspolat, after suspension, Jordan Bos and Arthur Piedfort thus returned to kick-off. 

The derby against Mechelen is always spectacular, spiced with lots of goals, and usually the full haul for the ‘Kakkers’. Indeed, of the last 6 games at the Kuip, we lost 5 of them. Only in January 2023 did we win, after 2 goals from Kyan Vaesen, who by the way can be seen in our own basecamp again these days, after his minor surgery. He wanted to rehabilitate on Kempen soil.

Coach Timmy Simons can again count on a full core to take on this last home game of 2024.

The balance at the Kuipje this year was: 

• 20 matches: 7 wins, 7 draws and 6 defeats
• 67 goals (35 for and 32 against)
• 13 different ‘Kemphanen’ who scored
  • Yow, Frigan and Sayyadmanesh: 5 goals each
  • Stassin: 4 goals
  • Bos, Mebude, Reynolds, Vuskovic, Devine, Madsen and Tagir: 2 goals each
  • Haspolat and Vermant: 1 goal each

KV Mechelen

September and October currently saw their strongest period of the season with 19 out of 27. Since November, they have been in a doldrums in terms of points gains with a 4 in 15 and the cup elimination against Beerschot.

Last weekend they still managed a handsome draw against Antwerp after a late goal from Van den Eynden. Coach Besnik Hasi usually opts for a 3-4-3 formation with Ortwin De Wolf in goal, who recently received a call-up from Tedesco. The three-man defence consists of Toon Raemaekers, ex-Westel, Bas Van den Eynden and Ahmed Touba.  Central midfield features Ouattara and captain Rob Schoofs, on the flanks Rafik Belghali and José Marsà fill the positions, Hairemans and Mrabti then play in support of deep striker Lauberbach.

Normally, Zinho Vanheusden, Daam Foulon, Mory Konaté, Bill Antonio, Nikola Storm and Jules Van Cleemput would also be able to claim a place in the starting eleven, but they are all sidelined with injuries.  In total, they were able to win two away games: at Antwerp (0-1) and Dender (2-5).

Top shooter is Benito Raman, who had to be replaced with an injury last week after a brief substitute, with 6 goals. What is striking, however, is that he has conquered only 4 starting places, so he regularly picks up his goal after a substitution.

Simon Bourdeaud’Hui

This 28-year-old referee, affiliated to Oudenaarde, was also our match referee against AA Gent 3 weeks ago. With him we do have a very good statistic, as not a single match under his guidance was lost. Final balance: 2 wins and 4 draws.

Text and statistics: Peter Boons