Kenyan international Joseph Okumu was on target for KAA Gent as they edged out KV Mechelen by a solitary goal in the Europa Conference League Playoff on Saturday evening at home.This was the second goal for the defender since joining the Belgian side, with the other goal coming in the Belgium cup tie against Belisia Bilzen as they won 4-0.The win on Saturday ensured that Gent continues the lead in the playoffs as they seek to grace the competition for a second time running next season after going all the way to the Round of 16 where they were knocked out by PAOK in March in the two-legged encounter this season.1-0!!! (82′) ONZE KENIAANSE STRIJDER BREEKT DE BAN!!!! JOSEPH OKUUUUUMUUUU!!!! 🇰🇪 #gntkvm #jpl pic.twitter.com/H6cJeuHeab— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) May 7, 2022 With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Okumu rose highest than everyone in the opponent’s box to head home from a Sven Kums corner with eight minutes left to play and hand Gent the maximum points in the game.Kevin Mrabti thought he had given the visitors the lead after just 17 minutes with a well-taken strike but his effort was chalked off for a foul in the build-up to the goal after the center referee consulted the VAR.FT 1-0 | Geen makkelijke wedstrijd maar op het einde tellen enkel de drie punten. We blijven aan de leiding in de Europe Play Offs en vergroten onze voorsprong op al onze achtervolgers! 💪🏼 LET’S GO! #gntkvm #jpl pic.twitter.com/XpLBgCKy2q— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) May 7, 2022 Mechelen’s Thibaut Peyre was given his marching orders in stoppage time for a professional last man foul and his side had to play the last two minutes of the added time with a man less.Gent will now face off with Mechelen on Tuesday, before meeting KRC Genk and later RC Sporting Charleroi in the second leg matches of the playoffs within the next 14 days.
