Nothing ever happens like elsewhere at Sporting de Charleroi. After five consecutive defeats, the Zebras returned, this Saturday, November 9, with success against Westerlo (1-0), the former employer of their coach, Rik De Mil, but this did not alleviate the anger of the supporters who are still demanding the head of the team. management, responsible for all the ills of their club, according to them.
Top 3 in mid-September
Flashback. We are in mid-September and the resounding victory (3-0) against Beerschot sounds like a very appropriate birthday present for the 120th anniversary celebrated by the Pays Noir club. It also allows Charleroi to climb to third place in the ranking of the Pro Leaguealong with Anderlecht. A week later, they even went so far as to force a draw at Lotto Park, before having to settle for another draw against Club Bruges, which amounted to a real disappointment since Hans Vanaken saved the Blue and Black of a defeat in the very last seconds. It is therefore the end of September and we find ourselves, in the bays of Mambourg, hoping for a rich season, in total opposition to that of 2023-2024.
Daan Heymans, le symbole
Carolegian success is symbolized by a player: Daan Heymans. In mid-September, the attacker Zebras already have six achievements. This is great proof that things are changing on Boulevard Zoé Drion. The Dutch-speaking player no longer has anything to do with the one from the previous season. Better prepared, physically and mentally, Daan Heymans, with full confidence, dares to take on things, which is also the case for his teammates.
Four defeats and only one goal scored
As we enter the tenth month of the calendar year, the Zebras are not aware that October will tarnish their picture. On the other hand, Dender (1-0) will be followed by defeats at Standard (2-1) against Louvain (0-2) and Cercle Bruges (2-0). Four failures against opponents well within Charleroi’s reach, but, like Daan Heymans, they remained silent offensively. To their credit, injuries disrupted the fine ensemble put together during the first two months of the competition. Therefore, rather than looking up, we had to resort to taking a look behind us.
Calicos of all kinds
But what did not happen during the dark period was the elimination, for Charleroi’s entry, from the Belgian Cup after a heavy defeat at Patro Eisden (4-1), N1 club! So much so that the arrival of Westerlo last Saturday was an event not to be missed by Rik De Mil and his troop, welcomed by banners of all kinds displayed by disgruntled supporters. The “co-Medhi has lasted long enough”, “mafia out”, “management resignation” were clearly aimed at the thinking heads of the club. They issued a press release to reaffirm support for the sports staff despite the difficult situation experienced in October. The management had also been threatening towards those who wanted to disrupt the smooth running of the match last Saturday.
Difficult program after the international break
“The supporters know the situation. It’s actually not fun to be 13e in the ranking, to know the month of October that we experienced with a lamentable failure in the Belgian Cup, we recognize it but we had a very good month of September and I hope that we have started a good month of November, that’s football too”, defends himself Pierre-Yves Hendrickx. And about the discontent of the supporters: “We work 24 hours a day, with extraordinary staff who work 7 days a week, and all of these people don’t deserve that. We are trying to make Sporting grow according to its means. We welcomed a new investor last year but more is needed. Charleroi is an average club with few budgets and which will have to find solutions in order to grow. »
Given the tight ranking of the Pro League this season, all hopes are allowed for Sporting zebra who got a breath of fresh air but it will be confirmed in the coming weeks, after the international break. Which will not be an easy task given the program announced: in Genk, against Standard, Antwerp and Louvain.
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