Nigerian winger wins Player of the Match award after he fires club to first league win of the season

According to a post on Cercle Brugge official X account on Sunday, November 1, 2026, Nigerian winger Babatunde Akinsola has won the Player of the Match award after firing the club to their first league win of the 2026/27 Belgian Pro League season with a brilliant brace in their 2-1 win over Royal Antwerp on Sunday.

The 23-year-old delivered a match-winning performance at the Jan Breydel Stadium, scoring twice in the second half to secure Cercle Brugge’s first league victory of the campaign.

The result ended the club’s nine-match wait for a league win and provided a much-needed boost to their survival ambitions.

Akinsola broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart, finishing off a brilliant individual move with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the bottom-right corner in the 48th minute.

His effort came after a goalless first half in which Antwerp had threatened to take the lead, only for Cercle goalkeeper Gaëtan Coucke and defender Geoffrey Kondo to prevent the visitors from scoring.

Akinsola doubled Cercle Brugge’s lead in the 61st minute with a close-range finish from Steve Ngoura’s assist.

The French forward played a crucial role in both goals, providing the assists for Akinsola’s brace as the hosts took control of the encounter.

Royal Antwerp attempted to fight their way back into the contest and reduced the deficit through substitute Modibo Fofana in the 81st minute.

The visitors pushed for an equalizer during a tense closing period, but Cercle Brugge’s defence held firm despite eight minutes of added time.

Akinsola’s impressive display earned him the Player of the Match recognition, which underlined his importance to the team’s much-needed victory.

According to OLTA Football’s match ratings, the Nigerian forward received an 8.7 rating, the highest of any player on either side. He also recorded two shots on target, both of which resulted in goals.

The result also lifted Cercle Brugge from the bottom of the Belgian Pro League standings to 17th position with six points, moving them above KV Kortrijk, who still have a game in hand.

The victory also doubled Cercle’s previous points tally, while Royal Antwerp remained 11th with 10 points following their defeat.

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