Ibrahima Cissé scores winner as Gent beat La Louvière

Ibrahima Cissé scored shortly after half-time to give Gent a 2-1 victory over La Louvière, while fellow Senegalese player Mame Wade provided an assist for the hosts in an action-packed Belgian Pro League encounter.

Several Senegalese players featured in the second matchday fixture at the Easi Arena, with both sides making strong contributions to an entertaining contest.

La Louvière started with Mame Wade and Wagane Faye in their line-up, and Wade made an immediate impact. The Senegalese player supplied the pass for Moustapha Isah, who finished the move in the 10th minute to put the home side ahead.

Gent responded quickly and restored parity 10 minutes later. Swiss player Momodou Sonko found the net in the 20th minute to bring the visitors level before the break.

The match remained closely contested as both teams looked for the goal that would give them control.

Gent eventually found the breakthrough immediately after the interval. Cissé, who had started the match for the visitors, scored in the 46th minute to complete the comeback and put Gent 2-1 ahead.

The Senegalese forward’s goal proved decisive as Gent held on to claim all three points away from home.

Cissé’s involvement ended in the 58th minute when he was replaced by Vergara, having already made the difference with his second-half strike.

There was further Senegalese representation in the Gent squad, with Mouhamed El Bachir Ngom also named in the starting line-up. El Hadji Seck and Mamadou Diallo were included among the substitutes and formed part of the matchday squad.

For La Louvière, Wade’s early contribution was one of the positive moments despite the eventual defeat. His assist helped his side take the lead before Gent responded with two unanswered goals.

The result gives Gent an important victory on the second matchday of the Belgian Pro League, while La Louvière were left to reflect on a match in which their early advantage was overturned.

Cissé’s decisive finish and Wade’s assist also ensured that the Senegalese contingent played a central role in determining the outcome at the Easi Arena.