Egyptian U23 international Omar Fayed made his long-awaited debut for Beerschot in a stunning 2-1 victory over Belgian giants Anderlecht, ending Beerschot’s ten-game winless streak in the Pro League.
Fayed, who joined Beerschot on loan from Turkish side Fenerbahce in early September, had been unable to feature for his new club due to delays in securing his Belgian visa.
Cleared to play earlier this month, the young defender finally made his debut during a critical match, with Beerschot in desperate need of a win to climb out of last place.
The match saw Beerschot take the lead in the 30th minute through Marwan Al-Sahafi, the Saudi international on loan from Ittihad Jeddah.
His well-placed shot gave the home side a boost, as they hoped to break their run of poor results.
However, Anderlecht struck back early in the second half when Kasper Dolberg converted a penalty in the 50th minute to level the score.
With the game finely poised, Beerschot regained control as Al-Sahafi struck again in the 70th minute, putting his team 2-1 up with a composed finish.
As the tension mounted in the final stages, Beerschot’s manager Dirk Kuyt turned to Omar Fayed for defensive reinforcement, bringing him on in the 76th minute to replace Saudi international Faisal Al-Ghamdi.
Fayed played a crucial role in helping Beerschot hold off Anderlecht’s late advances, ensuring they secured their first victory of the season.
The 20-year-old Egyptian’s debut proved to be a timely boost for the struggling side, as they look to rebuild momentum in their fight to avoid relegation.
With his appearance, Fayed became the 23rd Egyptian footballer to feature in the Belgian Pro League, joining an illustrious list that includes notable players like Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Ghaly, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Mido, and Zizo.
Despite the much-needed win, Beerschot remains at the bottom of the league standings, with just five points after eleven matches.
However, this victory could serve as a turning point for the team as they prepare for their next league fixture against Kortrijk on Friday, October 25.
For Omar Fayed, the debut was not just a personal milestone but a positive beginning in what he hopes will be a transformative season for both himself and his new club.
As Beerschot looks to claw its way out of the relegation zone, the Egyptian defender’s arrival could bring much-needed stability to their defensive line.
