UEFA Europa League: Philip Otele scores but Basel fall to Genk

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

FC Basel suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to KRC Genk in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday, November 27, 2025, despite a spirited second-half push led by Nigerian forward Philip Otele.

Genk dominated the opening period and converted their momentum into goals, with Hyeon-Gyu Oh and Konstantinos Karetsas striking to give the Belgian side a comfortable 2–0 halftime lead.

Even without captain Xherdan Shaqiri, Basel created the game’s first major chance when Otele forced a save with a powerful long-range effort. But defensive lapses left the Swiss side chasing the match by the interval.

Basel returned from the break with renewed urgency and were rewarded just before the hour mark. Bénie Traoré slipped a well-timed pass through to Otele, who finished neatly with the inside of his boot to halve the deficit.

The goal swung momentum Basel’s way, and they pressed relentlessly for an equaliser. Otele struck the post moments after scoring, while Jeremy Agbonifo drew a brilliant late save from Hendrik Van Crombrugge.

Shaqiri, introduced off the bench, also tried to influence the game, but the visitors could not force the leveller their second-half performance merited.

Despite the improvement, Basel again left empty-handed in European away action, with Otele’s effort not enough to rescue a result.