Zulte Waregem left the Jan Breydel Stadium empty-handed on Saturday night after an absorbing, end-to-end Belgian top-flight classic that saw Club Brugge edge a 4–3 victory, despite a spirited late contribution from Ghana U-20 striker Joseph Opoku.
The hosts burst out of the blocks and were ahead before Waregem could settle. Inside the opening ten minutes, Aleksandar Stanković reacted quickest in the box, drilling home to hand Brugge early control and ignite the home crowd.
Waregem refused to be overawed and steadily worked their way back into the contest. Their growing belief paid dividends in the 38th minute when Marley Aké finished with composure, latching onto a cleverly constructed move initiated by Enrique Lofolomo to bring the visitors level.
Momentum stayed with Waregem, and they completed a stunning turnaround just minutes later. Anosike Ementa struck shortly after the equaliser, sending the visitors into halftime with a surprising 2–1 advantage and Brugge reeling.
The response after the break was immediate. Barely sixty seconds into the second half, Brandon Mechele rose highest to power in a header and restore parity for the hosts, swinging the energy of the contest once again.
4-3 (einde) | Een knotsgekke partij eindigt in het voordeel van Club Brugge#CluZwa pic.twitter.com/2gy4340SEv
— SV Zulte Waregem (@esseveeofficial) January 24, 2026
From there, Brugge gradually seized control. Stanković grabbed his second of the night on the hour mark to put the champions back in front, before Nicolò Tresoldi added breathing room in the 78th minute, making it 4–2 and seemingly settling the encounter.
Waregem, however, were not done. Introduced from the bench, Joseph Opoku injected urgency and belief into the visitors’ attack. With ten minutes remaining, the Ghanaian forward found the net to cut the deficit and set up a nervy finale.
Late pressure followed, but Brugge stood firm to see out the win, denying Waregem a dramatic equaliser in the dying moments.
Despite the defeat, Opoku’s impact was another bright note in an encouraging season. The young striker now has three goals and three assists from 19 league appearances, continuing to grow in stature and influence at the highest level of Belgian football.
