KAA Gent has solidified its position as Belgium's strongest defence and the Jupiler Pro League leader after securing a fifth consecutive league victory. The Buffaloes beat Cercle Brugge last Sunday and have a perfect record from five matchdays, as shown in the current standings.
This flawless run is built on a rock-solid defence. Gent has conceded only two goals, the fewest in the league. New defenders Christian Burgess and Mouhamed El Bachir Ngom have played key roles in this. Coach Rik De Mil, involved in shaping the squad, appears to have made the right calls with these signings.
Who are the new defensive pillars?
Christian Burgess has quickly become the undisputed leader at the back since his arrival. His experience and organisational skills provide stability to the entire defensive line. Alongside him, young Mouhamed El Bachir Ngom is flourishing, earning the Man of the Match award against Cercle Brugge. Together with the established Siebe Van der Heyden, this trio forms a feared unit. Ngom stressed after the Cercle match that the clean sheets are no accident. "This is not the work of today, but the result of hard work over recent weeks. We do everything to pile up clean sheets," the defender told VoetbalNieuws.be.
The chemistry is good, even if personalities clash at times. Ngom mentioned they sometimes get into arguments, but they share the same goal: keeping a clean sheet. That mentality is paying off. Gent currently sits first with fifteen points from five games, having scored ten and conceded just two for a +8 goal difference. Their lead over the first chaser, Union St. Gilloise, is two points.
How was the preparation for this season?
The foundation for this success was laid in the summer. The club conducted targeted pruning by letting go of some underperforming players, internally considered 'bad apples'. Instead of a complete squad overhaul, they opted for a phased refresh with new blood. This approach ensured continuity and healthy competition within the group. The current squad is listed on our squad page.
Alongside the strong league start, Gent has also achieved success in Europe. The club navigated three Europa League qualifying rounds to reach the League Phase. This European campaign demands a lot from the squad, but so far, it hasn't hampered their league performance.
What are the next challenges for Gent?
The real test for their title ambitions is up next. This coming weekend, on 13 September 2026, awaits an away match against KRC Genk, currently seventh in the table. That promises to be a tough encounter. The squad must manage this task without the injured Hyllarion Goore, whose absence is tracked on the injuries list. The coming weeks, with a busy fixtures schedule, will show if Gent can maintain its top position. The next appointment is a trip to the Cegeka Arena to face Genk.
