Belgian First Division wrap: Genk secure title

Racing Genk came from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw with Standard Liege, winning their third Belgian First Division title in the process.

Substitute Kennedy Nwanganga equalised for the home side at Cristal Arena in the 79th minute, cancelling out Eliaquim Mangala’s opener in first-half injury time for Liege.

Franky Vercauteren’s side finished level with Liege on points at the culmination of the Championship playoffs on Tuesday.

But as Liege finished the season proper on an odd number of points, their halved total to begin the post-season was rounded up an extra half-point.

Given Liege’s ‘added’ bonus to begin the playoffs, it was decided that any team that finishes level with them on points would be ahead on the table.

It meant that – going into their title decider tied on 51 points – the Genk players knew they needed only a draw to secure the trophy.

French defender Mangala put Liege in prime position to win the title when he nodded home on the stroke of half-time after Genk failed to clear a free-kick.

But Kennedy, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, headed in a corner kick with just over ten minutes remaining to hand Genk an advantage they would not relinquish.

Anderlecht finished third in the playoff standings despite losing 4-3 to Lokeren at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock.

The home side led on three separate occasions in the match, but were floored in second-half injury time when Geir Fevang’s second goal of the game clinched victory for the visitors.

Polish defender Marcin Wasilewski opened the scoring on 34 minutes for Anderlecht but Lokeren were level eight minutes later via Ivan Leko.

Cheikhou Kouyate’s goal in first-half injury time put the hosts 2-1 up, only for Fevang’s first goal to restore parity once more after 61 minutes.

Guillaume Gillet scored Anderlecht’s third in the 66th minute, but Lokeren were not done with by any means.

Congolese striker Katuku Tshimanga equalised again in the 74th minute before Norwegian midfielder Fevang stole the points for Lokeren, who finished last of the six teams vying for the title despite the win.

Club Brugge ended their playoff campaign with a 3-0 win over Gent to finish fourth in the standings.

Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic hit a brace for the hosts at Jan Breydelstadion, either side of a goal from Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe.