Olayinka Propels Zulte-Waregem Closer to Europa Spot, Balogun’s Mainz Clinch Bundesliga Safety

Nigerian forward Peter Olayinka showcased his scoring prowess on Saturday, securing a crucial victory for Zulte-Waregem against Kortrijk in their Belgian First Division Europa League Play-Offs Group A encounter. The play-offs determine the teams that will secure spots in the prestigious UEFA Europa League for the upcoming season.

The action-packed match saw Theo Bongonda opening the scoring for Zulte-Waregem in the 15th minute, only to be matched by a swift response from Kortrijk six minutes later. Olayinka then emerged as the hero, netting a decisive goal in the 34th minute, leading Zulte-Waregem to their second consecutive win in the playoffs.

Olayinka’s goal tally for the season reached an impressive 10 in 36 games, accompanied by an equally noteworthy 15 assists. Zulte-Waregem currently stands atop the six-team play-offs table with 19 points from seven games, asserting their dominance as they aim for a coveted spot in the UEFA Europa League.

In the German Bundesliga, the resilient Mainz, featuring Super Eagles center-back Leon Balogun, secured their safety with a remarkable 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Although Balogun was not part of the matchday squad due to his recent recovery from injury, his team’s triumph over the formidable Dortmund side delighted fans.

Mainz’s Bote Baku set the tone with an early goal after four minutes, followed by Yoshoro Muto doubling the lead just nine minutes later. While Maximilian Philipp pulled one back for Dortmund, Mainz held on to secure a historic win, accumulating 36 points from 33 matches and solidifying their 14th position in the 18-team Bundesliga table. This victory ensures Mainz’s continued presence in the German top flight, with a comfortable six-point buffer over the relegation zone.