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This was the season of Club NXT U23

Challenger Pro League

The season in the Challenger Pro League is over and Club NXT can call itself the best promising team for the second season in a row. A handsome honorary title, but there was more than that. The season of our promises under the microscope.

THE START

After a very good season last year, Club NXT U23 under coach Nicky Hayen started the new season with healthy ambitions: 'We want players to keep developing in the same way, then we will be satisfied at the end. The players have to give everything to win, but the Challenger Pro League is a challenging series with lots of teams looking to get promoted.'

Check out another interview with Nicky Hayen during our summer internship below:

Nicky Hayen and his boys did not disappoint in the start of the season. It won the opening game against Lierse at The Nest and picked up 4/9 in the following three games. After four games it was therefore shared second with 7/12.

On matchday 7 the relocation to title favorite Zulte Waregem was on the program. Club NXT colored the season start with fun and attacking soccer, but showed on the Essevee field that the youthful team has the necessary maturity and good organization. A clever goal by De Roeve proved enough for a 0-1 victory.

DOORSTROMING

What followed was a tricky final year, not entirely illogical. Compared to last season, quite a few boys advanced to the A core, one of Club NXT's missions. Names like Romeo Vermant, Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers and Chemsdine Talbi were still an important part of the U23 team last season, but in the meantime they have already taken the final step up.

As a result, our pledges often start their matches with a very young team. The average age this season was 19.93, with Jesse Bisiwu and Jessie Da Silva even two 15-year-olds making their debut in the CPL.

But on youthful enthusiasm and one with good drive, Club NXT had only one motto: bluvn goan. The talents continued to develop and the summer transfers became more and more fitting. Mo Salah came over from Union in the summer and proved to be a fine replacement for the long-term injured Talbi as NXT's assist king (5 assists), while defender Amine Et-Taïbi became one of Club NXT's leaders and made the most minutes himself for his team this season (2,475 minutes).

<p>Amine Et-Taïbi celebrates his goal against KV Oostende.</p>

Amine Et-Taïbi celebrates his goal against KV Oostende.

<p>Mo Salah during his debut against Lierse. </p>

Mo Salah during his debut against Lierse.

<p>Jesse Bisiwu made his debut at home against RSCA Futures. </p>

Jesse Bisiwu made his debut at home against RSCA Futures.

<p>Jessi Da Sliva (2008) is that other 15-year-old debutant. </p>

Jessi Da Sliva (2008) is that other 15-year-old debutant.

BEST PROMISES TEAM

After New Year's, the top eight increasingly closed the gap. The battle for a top six ranking was almost impossible, but the title of best promising team was a nice honor to fight for. Jong Genk and the RSCA Futures had the same goal in mind, however, and so another fine three-way battle broke out in mid-February.

A handsome three-pointer in the middle of that battle came on the field of KV Oostende. Our youngsters stunned the Jupiler Pro League relegation of the year before. A strong Lenn De Smet, who as the season ended approached dragged his team with important goals, signed for a clever goal in the 1-4 victory at sea. A win that clearly gave Nicky Hayen's team wings, as in the triptych that followed Club NXT won over promising teams Genk and SL16 and took a point against Seraing.

FIGHT TO THE END

After the strong series, we are now halfway through March with four games left to play. Due to the shifts in the A-core, including the promotion of Nicky Hayen as T1 ad interim at Club 1, it did happen with a modified technical staff.

Robin Veldman took over as T1, Mitch Delcour was transferred from the U18 as his assistant. Against successively Dender (who would later be promoted to 1A as runner-up), Lierse and RFC Liège, the team played well three times, but failed to score points. The duel at the King Baudouin Stadium against the RSCA Futures on the final matchday of the Challenger Pro League would determine whether Club NXT finished as the best promising team. Genk stood on 37 points, with Club NXT and RSCA Futures following on 34 points.

In a setting that speaks for itself, Club NXT closed the season in style. Barberá, another youngster who made the transition to the A core this season, and who else but Lenn De Smet ensured a 1-2 victory in the capital. The win was enough to leap over Genk to ninth place and clinch the title of best promising team for the second season in a row.

SINGLE FIGURES

To add some more context to Club NXT U23's successful season, we list a few more figures.

  • Shion Homma and Mo Salah were the best attackers at Club NXT: five each.
  • Lenn De Smet became club top shooter with eight goals. Victor Barberá and Romeo Vermant scored six each.
  • With Jesse Bisiwu and Jessi Da Silva, two 15-year-olds made their debuts at Club NXT in the CPL.
  • Blue-Black scored 40 times (10th best in the league) and conceded (49 goals (11th best in the league).
  • Club NXT stood for attacking soccer: it scored in twenty of its thirty games.

Next season awaits for Club NXT a new season in the second division, a nice stage where undoubtedly a lot of new talents will again show themselves. The preparation for the new season starts on July 6.