Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu played in the entire game as Gent needed two extra time goals to eliminate Cercle Brugge from the Belgium Cup competition with a 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday night.
This was the first competitive match for Gent, who had taken a break for the World Cup, in one month with their last game coming against Kortjik. In the World Cup period, they played two friendlies against KRC Gent and Heerenveen which they won 5-0 and 4-1 respectively.
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In the Tuesday game, Gent who hosted the game at their Ghelamco Arena failed to score in regular time and were kept in the game by the heroics of keeper Nardi. Their work was made even easier when Brugge’s Olivier Deman was sent off in the 93rd minute.
Hugo Cuypers was to give them the lead in the 110th minute before substitute Malick Fofana ensured the host’s place in the quarterfinals with another goal ten minutes later.
Attention for Okumu and his team now turns to the league where they are set to face seventh-placed Standard Liege on Friday 23rd December 2022
Gent are currently placed fifth with 30 points after 17 games and trail leaders Genk by 16 points.
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