After disappointing regular season Charleroi improved in Play-off II to win it, but then in the final for last available Europa League visa lost 2:3 vs. Antwerp, despite taking 2:0 lead early on.
The Zebras played catch up right from the start after opening their campaign with 4 defeats in the first 5 rounds. The other issue that unsettled the early results was the fact that last season’s top goalscorer Rezaei left after only 3 goals and 5 games.
It was his departure that brought to the squad the young Nigerian forward Osimhen at the end of August, which turned out to be excellent move as Osimhen became Charleroi’s top goalscorer.
The consistency was simply not there with Charleroi winning only 2 away games before the winter break and no home games past Christmas. Eventually this didn’t allow the team to even get close to the top six and challenge for Play-off I.
Starting Play-off II with back-to-back defeats suggested that Charleroi will simply cruise in the post season, but then 7 wins and draw in the final 8 rounds of the group saw the Zebras topping the table and also beating Kortrijk in the Play-off II final.
Still the inconsistency all season was again displays in the last match of the campaign with loss of the two-goal lead showing once again the immaturity of many of the players.
Coach Mazzu has to wait and see if Osimhen and several other talented youngsters would stay in the squad, with this important if next season is to offer improved results and table position.
