Zulte Waregem plays against Seraing on Sunday evening. The match is the conclusion of the twelfth matchday in the Challenger Pro League.
It will be a special match for Lukas Willen. The defender will meet his opponent with ex-coach Mbaye Leye, who launched him at Essevee in 2022.
“Seeing him again will certainly mean something to me,” says Lukas Willen to Het Laatste Nieuws. “I am not in the habit of talking to the opponent’s coach beforehand, but I will certainly shake Mbaye’s hand.”
The two have not had much contact since his departure, only some text messages back and forth. “Yes, Leye has been very important to me. Not only because he gave me my first playing opportunities, but certainly also because he continued to express that confidence in me after a period of injury.”
Despite interest from abroad, Willen remained in Waregem. “A decision that I still support. I had a hard time last season, I’m happy to admit that. Because suddenly more is expected of you.”
He believes in the project to get his doctorate and that is why he signed up. “It didn’t work straight away, hopefully it will just be postponed. But I am the first to realize that our current good position guarantees nothing. Last season we were in the lead halfway through and then things went completely wrong.”
