Samatta delighted after starting new season with bang

Dar es Salaam. KRC Genk’s Tanzanian forward has expressed his joy at scoring in his team’s first match of the 2016/17 Belgium Pro League.

The Belgian topflight league season kicked off on Sunday with eight matches on the cards and KRC Genk were among the six winners of the day, beating visiting KV Oostende 2-1 at Luminus Arena.

Goals from Nikolaos Kerelis and Samatta, both in the second half, ensured three points for the Peter Maes’ side that has found their rhythm early having been active in the Uefa Europa League qualifiers.

“I’m very happy to have started the season with a goal. It is always a good thing to start a season like this. I hope it will help boost my confidence as I am looking forward to scoring as many goals as possible,”Samatta was quoted by Belgian media.

He added: “The most important thing is not me scoring, but ensuring that our team racks up points early on. We had a good game, so we have to keep going and prepare for the next game.” KRC Genk will travel to the Republic of Ireland for their Thursday’s Uefa Europa League third qualifying round showdown against Cork City FC.

“We have a 1-0 advantage against Cork City and it’s my belief that we will finish the job at their turf,” he added.

On Sunday, Oostende’s consolation was delivered through Zimbabwean international Knowledge Musona. The first half was balanced with both sides having their moments, but they were Genk who created the best chance on the half hour mark when Leon Bailey found Alejandro Pozuelo, with the Spaniard crossing deep to Kerelis who shot wide. The half ended goalless. The visitors started the second half stronger and had El Ghanassy attempt blocked by a forest of legs before Musona shot on target minutes later.