Simon scores twice, Ekong sees red
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Moses Simon was the hero for KAA Gent as his two goals powered them to a 2-1 win over Club Brugge in the play-off of the Belgian top division at the Ghelamco Arena on Sunday.
However it was not a pleasant outing for Simon's Nigerian compatriot William Troost-Ekong who was sent off in the match.
Simon and Troost-Ekong were two of the four Nigerians in the startlist of Gent alongside Anderson Esiti and Samuel Kalu. The
other Nigerian, Rabiu Ibrahim started and ended the game on the bench.
Kalu was first to get into action and for the wrong reason and referee Bart Vertenten promptly booked him after four minutes.
Four minutes later, Brazilian striker Wesley opened scoring with a right-footed shot in the centre of the box, leaving Gent goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic with no chance of stopping his angled attempt.
On 25 minutes, Simon popped up at the other end to draw Gent level. It was a goal made in Nigeria as Kalu and Simon combined with the latter volleying his compatriot's cross into the bottom right corner past Club Brugge stopper Ludovic Butelle.
And on the stroke of half time, the referee awarded Gent a spot kick after Laurens De Bock was adjudged to have handled the ball in his box. Simon stepped forward and calmly drilled the ball from 11 metres into the left corner.
The business end of the game began on sour note for one of Gent's Nigerian contingent. Within five minutes of the restart, Troost-Ekong got booked twice and got his marching orders leaving his teammates to battle with a man less for the remaining 40 minutes.
Simon and Kalu later made way for Thomas Foket and Rami Gershon respectively as Gent held on for a win that puts them in contention for European places next season.
Nigeria international, Simon, has now scored five goals in the Belgian Pro League for Gent this season.
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