Congolese defender Mardochée Nzita inspires Charleroi to narrow win over Joris Kayembe’s Genk

Charleroi pulled off a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Genk in a rescheduled Belgian First Division clash, with Congolese defender Mardochée Nzita playing a key role in securing the points against Joris Kayembe’s team.

The contest, postponed from the fifth round of fixtures, was decided by an early strike in the 18th minute.

Despite having more than 70 minutes to respond, Genk were unable to break through a disciplined Charleroi defence that remained organised and resilient until the final whistle.

Nzita, who has been steadily establishing himself in Charleroi’s backline, delivered a composed performance, ensuring Genk’s attacking efforts were repeatedly stifled.

Fellow Congolese international Joris Kayembe featured for the hosts, but his side struggled to find the cutting edge required to salvage a result.

Charleroi’s early breakthrough proved to be the defining moment of the encounter. Once in front, the visitors adopted a pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive solidity while looking to exploit counter-attacking opportunities.

Genk pressed forward in search of an equaliser but found themselves frustrated by a lack of precision in the final third.

The result extends Charleroi’s winning streak to three consecutive league matches, providing a significant boost to their confidence and momentum in the early stages of the season.

In contrast, Genk’s form has dipped, with this marking a second straight match without victory – a run they will be eager to end swiftly.

For Charleroi, the tactical discipline displayed after taking the lead highlighted a growing maturity within the squad.

Holding firm against sustained pressure, particularly in the second half, demonstrated the team’s ability to manage narrow leads in challenging away fixtures.

In terms of the league standings, the victory lifts Charleroi into third place on 12 points, underlining their strong start to the campaign.

Genk, meanwhile, remain mid-table in 10th position with eight points, leaving them with work to do to climb back into contention for the top spots.

Looking ahead, Charleroi will aim to build on their winning momentum when they face Zulte Waregem on Saturday, September 20.

Genk, seeking a response after consecutive setbacks, will take on reigning champions Union Saint-Gilloise the following day in what promises to be another stern test.

The night ultimately belonged to Charleroi, whose early strike and defensive organisation were enough to silence Genk and leave Nzita celebrating an important away triumph.