Jupiler Pro League Recap: El Ouahdi inspires Genk once again; Nguene scores first pro goal

Zakaria El Ouahdi continued his dream 2025-26 season and maintined KRC Genk’s hopes of European competition next season with a Man of the Match performance in the club’s 2-1 victory at Westerlo in the Jupiler Pro League.

💣 | Twee spelers uitkappen en snoeihard binnen trappen. 🌪️✨ #WESGNK

Bekijk de hoogtepunten van alle wedstrijden in de DAZN-app! 📲 pic.twitter.com/GdGiFoVuGW

— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) April 18, 2026

The Moroccan international right flank player opened the scoring with a powerful finish in the 68th minute. Three minutes later, El Ouahdi set up Cameroonian forward Aaron Bibout for the eventual match-winner before Westerlo scored a late consolation goal.

The match was Genk’s first in the Belgian top flight’s Conference League group, where the top club in this stage will compete in next season’s UEFA Conference League. After failing to qualify for the championship group reserved for the league’s top-6 clubs, De Blauw-Wit have a two-point lead.

Will El Ouahdi move from Jupiler Pro League to a bigger stage?

As for El Ouahdi, the native of Belgium’s Antwerp Province now has 12 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season. His club’s social media highlighted his impressive goal contribution record which ranks among Europe’s top attacking fullbacks.

 

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Even if Genk finish top of the Conference League group, it appears quite unlikely that El Ouahdi will compete with them in European club competition next season. Rumors continue to swirl around his future with many interested clubs. Considering his exploits this season and growing role in the Morocco national team, it appears a transfer is likely following the current campaign.

Two points behind Genk is Standard Liège, who also won 2-1 away from home with a positive result at Charleroi. Cameroonian forward Bernard Nguene, who originally joined the club on loan from Ligue 1 side Nice this season, scored his first goal in European football just over a minute after coming off the bench.

💨 | Bernard Nguene had slechts 69 seconden nodig om te scoren! 😮‍💨🫡 pic.twitter.com/1vAS1IkPdB

— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) April 20, 2026

The 19-year-old displayed his pace and danger on the dribble before firing in a low shot. After showing some signs of promise with Nice following his arrival from Cameroon in 2024, the Jupiler Pro League could be the perfect stage for Nguene to develop further and get the playing time he is searching for.

Another young player who scored his first Pro League goal over the weekend was Youssef Hamdaoui. The 18-year-old Royal Antwerp player, who switched his national team allegiance to Morocco from Belgium in 2025, finished off a 2-0 victory over OH Leuven.

 

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After previously featuring for Belgium in Euro U-17 qualifying, Hamdaoui made his debut for Morocco’s U-18 selection with two appearances in friendly matches. He has now made over twenty appearances for Antwerp in all competitions this season after debuting the previous campaign.