Ghanaian forward Nathan Opoku marked a significant milestone in his football career, securing his first goal of the Belgium Jupiler Pro League Europe play-offs as Oud-Hervelee Leuven faced a challenging encounter against KV Mechelen.
The Leicester loanee exhibited his prowess in the late stages of the match, scoring a crucial goal in injury time to level the scores.
However, despite Opoku’s efforts, KV Mechelen swiftly responded a minute later, securing a narrow 3-2 victory at the King Power den Dreef stadium.
Opoku, who had previously netted only once in the regular season, entered the fray in the 68th minute, replacing Richie Sagrado as Leuven trailed 2-0.
His introduction injected vigor into Leuven’s attack, sparking a spirited fightback that saw Youssef Maziz pull one goal back just ten minutes after Opoku took to the field.
In a dramatic turn of events, Opoku managed to level the scoreline for the hosts with a powerful strike during injury time.
However, his equalizer was short-lived as Guinean striker Mory Konate swiftly capitalized on an opportunity, clinching the decisive winner for Mechelen just a minute later.
Currently on loan from English Championship promotion-chasers Leicester City, Opoku’s stellar performance in Belgium’s top-flight league underscores his potential and versatility as a forward.
With his loan spell set to conclude in the summer transfer window, Opoku’s future remains uncertain, with the possibility of rejoining his parent club looming on the horizon.
Opoku’s remarkable display highlights his growing influence on the pitch and serves as a testament to his determination to make a lasting impact in professional football, both domestically and internationally.
